UK singer/songwriter LINDA LEWIS died on Wednesday, 3rd May. She was aged 72 and died at her home in Ramsgate, Kent. Her sister Dee Lewis Clay said her “beloved beautiful sister” had passed away peacefully at home and described the death as “heartbreaking”.
Linda was born Linda Ann Fredericks in West Ham, London and after stage school won roles (non-speaking) in the movies ‘A Taste of Honey’ and in the first Beatles film, ‘A Hard Day’s Night.’ But music was her passion and as a self-taught guitarist and keyboard player, she appeared at the first ever Glastonbury Festival in 1970!
There followed a fifty year career in which Linda enjoyed huge hits with ‘Rock-a-Doodle-Doo’ (1973), ‘Sideway Shuffle’ (1973) and her version of Betty Everett’s ‘Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)’ (1975). Her albums, notably ‘Lark’ (1972), ‘Not A Little Girl Anymore’ (1975) and ‘Woman Overboard’ (1977) were all well received. She also famously collaborated with David Bowie on his the ‘Aladdin Sane album’, while other artists she worked with included Cat Stevens, Joan Armatrading, and Jamiroquai.
Most recently she teamed up again with her sisters Shirley and Dee to record a new version of ‘Year Of Decision’ with soulful house maestro, Brian Powers.
