Born in Detroit, Michigan on September 19, Freda grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, which inspired her growing interest in music. While still in school, she began her musical career by singing radio commercial jingles in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Her polished voice caught the attention of music executives and other artists. She was wooed with offers of contracts from the likes of Berry Gordy and Duke Ellington, but her mother wanted her to finish school first. After she did, the legendary Pearl Bailey gave Freda her first professional job and this paved the way for her to share the stage with other legends such as Lionel Hampton, Sammy Davis Jr., Billy Eckstine, Quincy ]ones, Bill Cosby and many others.
Freda toured with Quincy ]ones during his big band era, performing at the world famous Apollo in New York and the Regal in Chicago, among others and soon after, recorded her first album When The Lights Go Down for Impulse Records.
Three years later, she released her second album of jazz, How Do You Say I Don't Love You Anymore, for MGM. She also made occasional guest appearances on different television shows including Merv Griffin and Johnny Carson. During this time, a busy Freda also added theatrical credits to her resume. She understudied Leslie Uggams for the Broadway show Hallelujah Baby in 1967 and appeared with the Equity Theatre in a production of Lost in the Stars. Then in 1969, some of her hometown friends, brothers Brian & Eddie Holland and Lamont Dozier persuaded Freda to sign with their newly formed label, Invictus. These distinguished songwriters were responsible for putting Motown music firmly on the map by writing and producing million sellers for acts such as the Four Tops, Martha & the Vandellas and the Supremes - whose last lead singer is Freda's sister Scherrie - also blessed with an incredible vocal talent. Freda went on to score with 2 million selling singles - Bring The Boys Home and Band Of Gold. She also recorded Deeper and Deeper, Cherish (What's Dear To You) and You Brought The Joy. with Invictus, releasing several albums, including Contact and The Best of Freda Payne. Then Freda moved to ABC and later Capitol Records, releasing such albums as Payne & Pleasure, Out Of Payne Comes Love and Supernatural High and Red Hot. 1993 saw the release of her critically acclaimed album An Evening With Freda Payne that perfectly showcases her incredible talents and incomparable jazz styling.
In the 80s, Freda concentrated on acting and television, briefly hosting her own talk show, but never entirely losing touch with her music. She recorded a single in 1982 entitled "In Motion" (Sutra), and a remake of "Band of Gold" with Belinda Carlisle in 1986.
In the 90s, Freda recorded several songs for Ian Levine's UK Motorcity label, including "Memories and Souvenirs" and "Only Minutes Away", and released several albums Dove Music, including her first and only Christmas album, Christmas With Freda and Friends. She also continued her acting career.
The new millenium brought a new album of jazz, pop and R&B called Come See About Me for the Volt label and rave reviews met the show called "Love & Payne", which featured Freda and Darlene Love at Feinstein's at the Regency in New York City and at the Cinegrill in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, while several compilations of her music were released.
Freda Payne’s prolific career will continue to flourish and prosper for as long as her creative juices keep flowing. Her indelible mark on the music industry is far from over.
Join us for a very special Holiday Edition of FOREVER 5th DIMENSION where I chat in-depth with Mr. Lamonte McLemore--unforgettable founding member of The 5th Dimension, everyone's favorite mellow bass, multi-Grammy winner, "The Visionary Dimension" whose impeccable sense of style & charmingly mischievous sense of humor is his trademark. Not to mention an indomitably wise spirit. You'll enjoy many 5th anecdotes never heard before plus get a major "new year 5th scoop!" Look for "Visit with a Visionary: Through the Lens of Lamonte McLemore" at the Blog section on my page!
And thank you, kind friends for your continued support...you are "5th Family," indeed!
MyHotCommentsFreda, Trials and Tribulations will either make us More Holy, or More Sinful depending [GREATLY] on our Relationship to God/with God, Amen? Because when testings come (and they WILL come "IF" you are Walking right), WE will either TRUST God's purposes and FIND Peace, OR "we" can Trust in our OWN plans, start walking in the "Vanity of our mind", thereby developing a NEGATIVE OUTLOOK or DISPOSITION and thus DEVELOPING A BITTER, and CYNICAL heart. We may NOT like our situation (and in MOST cases "we" WON'T), BUT, because WE "Are CHRISTIANS"; because we are a "Chosen Generation; because we are a Royal Priesthood; because we are a Holy Nation and a Peculiar People"...WE... "SHOULD"... LOVE...GOD and WE...MUST...TRUST..."HIS"...WILL FOR OUR LIVES!
The Bible says "And going a little further, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me, nevertheless, not what I will [not what I desire], but as You will and desire" (Matt.26:39 AMP).
The Bible also says "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome" (Jer.29:11 AMP). Is that where the phrase "Trusting God's Purposes" came from......Hmmm?!!?
Not a Sermon, Just a recent Revelation. YBIC, Richard -aka- MEGA VOICES GOLD!
May the Lord Jesus Christ lead you to the will He has for your life guide direct protect & provide His divine favor to you & your loved ones.Lord help us to do those things that are pleasing to Your sight.By all means necessary, do in us what we cant do ourselves, help us to focus on You, and not our earthly circumstances. Stay blessed and remember Jesus loves you. May the Lord Jesus pour out these same blessings to every eye that see it.Stay blessed my friend 1!
Hi Freda stopping by to say love your music and invite you to a listen of my new minute long version of White Christmas.Thank you and the Best To you and yours always. tim
Hiya Freda, I can still remember Band Of Gold playing almost continually on AM radio as a very young boy in grammar school in the early 70s. The recording is timeless. Your voice is impeccable! God Bless! all the best, Jimmy
FROM THE TEMPTATIONS
