Retta Young
Retta Young | |
---|---|
Birth name | Henrietta Young |
Also known as | Rhetta Young Reeta Young Henrietta Goodman |
Born | South Carolina, United States of America |
Occupation(s) | Singer |
Years active | 1960s - 1970s |
Labels | All Platinum |
Formerly of | Devotion, Retta Young & the Devotions |
Retta Young (born 1949 in South Carolina) is a former American singer best known for her 1975 disco hit "Sending Out An S.O.S." which made the Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Cash Box Top 100 R&B and UK Top 30 charts. She released an album and three singles during the 1970s.
Background
Retta Young was signed to the All Platinum record label which produced hits for herself, The Moments and Sylvia. The relationship with Phonogram in the UK proved fruitful for the label and the artists.[1] She was backed by The Moments during her Platinum Records period.
She did some reception work for the label.[2] It was in 1975 that she found success with a her hit, "Sending Out An S.O.S." which registered on multiple charts in both the US and UK.[3][4][5][6]
She is credited as a composer for the songs "Hey Sad Boy", "Love & Affection", "Set My Heart from Misery" and "Stuck to You Like a Magnet".[7]
Early career: Superbs, Devotions period
![]() | This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (May 2023) |
In the 1960s, Young was a member of the Superbs,[8] later renamed The Devotions.[9][10]
Devotion / The Devotions
Devotion | |
---|---|
Also known as | The Superbs, The Devotion, Devotion, Retta Young and the Devotions |
Origin | New York, United States |
Genres | R&B, soul |
Years active | 1960s - 1970s |
Labels | Symbol Records, J City, Colossus, Silver Dollar, Wanderik Records |
Devotion, originally The Superbs, were a female group from New York. They were signed with Colossus Records and released exclusively on Paul Kyser's Silver Dollar label.[11][12]
Their singles "Dawning of Love" and "So Glad You're Home" (1970) were written by Kyser and co-produced by him and Tom Vetri.[13][12][14] "Dawning of Love" became a hit on the US R&B chart, getting to no. 49 in 1970.[15]
- The Superbs
An early line up of the group included former lead singer of The Teardrops, Rhonda Franklin, who joined the group some time around or prior to 1968. Franklin's group had recorded "Wait For Me" bw "Birdies and Memories" which was on Gossip TKT-2121 in 1964.[16][17] With Paul Kyser in his first time as a horns and strings arranger, The Superbs recorded "Love's Unpredictable" with Phillis Harris on lead vocals. Kyser co-produced it with Stan R. Krause. The song, backed with "Happiest Girl in the World", was released on Catamount 2122 in 1968.[18][19] The next single credited to The Superbs was "The Dawning of Love" backed with "So Glad Youre Home" on Symbol 8.[18][20]
The group was photographed for a promotional picture. By the time they were photographed Rhonda Frankin had left the group. Pictured were Phillis Harris, Arnita (surname unknown) and Harris' sister.[18]
- Devotion
"The Dawning of Love" was released a second time by Kyser in 1970 on Colossus C 126 and credited to Devotion.[20][21][18] It became a hit and went to no. 49 on the Billboard chart,[22][23] and no. 41 in the Cash Box chart.[24][25] According to Kyser in the Music Executive Paul L. Kyser of Trumpet records Sit Down Documentary by Champagne Filmmaker, Kyser and co. went to Cleveland, Ohio and everything was going well, and the girls were set to appear at the Apollo Theater. Unfortunately, the group's lead singer had a medical issue and went to hospital. After that he got a replacement line up. The Devotion line up became Retta Young, Bertha and Madge Quince.[18][26] They did a show in Baltimore, Maryland. They did a prom there with The Moments. This was where Kyser introduced Al Goodman of The Moments to Henrietta Young.[27] Interestingly, Young, Bertha Addison, and Madge Quince are credited with composing "Stuck To You Like A Magnet" which was registered for copyright in 1968.[28]
The first Devotions recording featuring Young was "The Saga of Will-E Jones" (1971), which was composed by Kyser and Vetri.[9] They were listed in the Campus Attractions section in the March 27 issue of Billboard as an act available for a college date.[29] Record World reported in the August 14, 1971 issue that Silver Dollar Records, having had local success with "Ain't it Good Enough" by New Sound Express Ltd. were getting ready to ship nationally the single by a dynamite female group, the Devotions. The single, "The Saga of Will-E Jones" was the first Jamie / Guyden release on the Silver Dollar label.[30]
In Record Worlds March 17, 1973 issue, Dede Dabney in her Soul Truth column had "So Glad You're Home" as one of Dede's Ditties to Watch.[31]
- Note: "The Saga of Will-E Jones" 1971 release and info by Kyser suggests that Retta Young did not sing on earlier recordings such as "The Dawning of Love." [citation needed]
Discography
Act | Release | Catalogue | Year | Format | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Superbs | "Love's Unpredictable" / "Happiest Girl In The World" | Catamount 2122 | 1968 | 7" single | [18][19] |
Act | Title | Release info | Year | Format | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Superbs | "The Dawning Of Love" / "So Glad You're Home" | Symbol Records SYMBOL 8 | 1969 | 7" single | [32] |
The Devotions | "So Glad You're Home" / "The Dawning Of Love" | J City JC-325 | 1970 | ||
Devotion | "Dawning of Love" / "So Glad You're Home" | Polydor Records 2058 071 | UK release | ||
Devotion | Colossus Records | ||||
The Devotions | "The Saga Of Will-E Jones" / "Let's Join Our World Together" | Silver Dollar SD-154 | 1971 | [14] | |
Retta Young and the Devotions | "So Glad You're Home" / "The Dawning of Love" | Essential Media Group | 2014 | CD-R + Digital 45 |
Title | Release info | Year | Format | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retta Young and the Devotions | Wanderik Records | 1977 | LP | |
Retta Young and the Devotions | 2011 | MP3 album | ||
Retta Young and the Devotions (digitally remastered) | Essential Media Group | 2013 | CD-R |
Career (solo)
1970s
- Hit single period
"Sending Out An S.O.S." was released on the All Platinum label in 1975[33][34] It was produced by Al Goodman and Harry Ray of The Moments.[35]
On the week of June 14, the record was registering in three sections of the Billboard Disco Action chart. The song was ranked #9 on the Top Audience Response in New York discos. Downstairs Records and Colony Records (both of them New York record stores) ranked the song's retail sales at #1 and #7, respectively.[36] Also on that week it was in the Record World Disco Parade chart, on the Le Cocu, New York list.[37]
The June 28 issue of Billboard noted that Young and fiancé Al Goodman were in London on a promotional visit.[38] While there she performed "Sending Out An S.O.S. on the Top of the Pops show which was broadcast on June 19.[39]
The song would eventually peak at no. 88 on the Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart,[3] no. 74 on the Cash Box Top 100 R&B chart,[4][40][41] and number #28 on the UK Singles Chart.[3] It also made the Disco chart.[42]
- Further activities
It was announced in the October 4 issue of Record Mirror & Disc that Young with the other All Platinum acts, The Moments, Shirley & Co. etc. were set to tour the UK with the opening show at the Liverpool Empire on November 9. There were also around nine other engagements including the Hammersmith Odeon, running though to November 20.[43]
In the October 18 issue, Billboard announced that The Rimshots, Chuck Jackson, Shirley and Co., Young were set to perform in Belgium in late November 1975.[44]
In 1975 / 1976, the exploitation film Patty was released. Directed by Robert L. Roberts, it contained music by Al Goodman, featuring The Moments, Chuck Jackson, Retta Young, and The Rimshots. Young's contribution to the film's soundtrack was "Look at Me".[45][46][47] It is loosely based on the kidnapping of Patty Hearst.[48][49][50]
Young and Tommy Keith provided the backing vocals on Chuck Jackson's Needing You Wanting You album that was released in late 1975. Produced by Al Goodman, Harry Ray and Walter Morris, it was released on the All Platinum label.[51][52]
For the week of March 26, 1977, Young's record album was played on Rod McGrew's show at KJLH in Los Angeles.[53]
Her single, "My Man Is on His Way" and "Really, Really" were released in 1978.[54]
Later years
"That's How Some Men Are" from her Young and Restless album was sampled by Chief Kamachi for the 2004 song, "Queen".[55]
"My Man Is on His Way" appears on Soul Jazz Records' compilation album Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82.[54][56][57]
Young's album Young and Restless was re-released by Expansion Records in 2017 on both vinyl LP and CD. The CD version includes bonus non-album tracks.[58][59]
Personal life
Young was married to Ray, Goodman & Brown member Al Goodman, who died in Hackensack, New Jersey on 26 July 2010.[60] She was initially introduced to Goodman by Paul Kyser.[61]
Discography
Title | Release info | Year | Format | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
"(Sending Out An) S.O.S." / "(Sending Out An) S.O.S." (Instrumental) | All Platinum AP 2355 | 1975 | 7" | |
"You Beat Me To The Punch" / "Maybe It's The Best Thing" | All Platinum AP-2361 | |||
"My Man Is On His Way" / "Really, Really" | All Platinum AP 2375 | 1978 | [62] |
Title | Release info | Year | Format | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Young And Restless | All Platinum AP-3017 | 1976 | LP | |
Young And Restless | Expansion EXLPM 61 | 2017 | ||
Young And Restless | Expansion EXCDM 61 | CD | [63] |
References
- ^ Billboard, January 28, 1978 - Page 69 Licensing Spans World, U.S. Labels
- ^ Record Mirror, August 9, 1975 - 7,6,5,4,3;2,1 7,6,5,4,3;2,1 by David Hancock
- ^ a b c MusicVF.com - Sending Out an S.O.S. By: Retta Young
- ^ a b Cash Box, August 16, 1975 - Page 37 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B
- ^ Official Charts - https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/(sending-out-an)-s.o.s_dot_/ OFFICIAL SINGLES CHART RESULTS MATCHING: (SENDING OUT AN) S.O.S.
- ^ James Hamilton's Disco Page - A full list of all Record Mirror UK Disco Chart entries, 1975-1979
- ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third Series
Volume 22, Part 5, Number I, Section I
Music
Current and Renewal Registrations
January–June
1968,
By Library of Congress. Copyright Office - Page 1515 NAME INDEX, Young, Henrietta - ^ Soulwalking - retta young
- ^ a b Discogs - The Devotions (2)
- ^ Billboard, January 28, 1978 - Page 69 Licensing Spans World U.S. Labels
- ^ Billboard, June 19, 1971 - Page 51 Late News, Jamie/Guyden To Distribute Silver Dollar
- ^ a b Billboard, May 8, 1971 - Page 6 General News Record Firm Is Formed By Kyser
- ^ 45Cat - Devotion - Discography
- ^ a b 45Cat - The Devotions (New Jersey) - Discography
- ^ MusicVF.com - Songs written by Paul Kyser, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography
- ^ Shazam - Wait For Me, The Teardrops
- ^ Popsike - The TEARDROPS - Wait For Me rare Philly SOUL '64 Gossip 45 Rhonda Franklin
- ^ a b c d e f Soul Source - I'm A New Member, By Guest Paul Kyser February 11, 2009 Guest Paul Kyser Posted February 11, 2009
- ^ a b Popsike - SUPERBS Love's Unpredictable Happiest Girl In The World CATAMOUNT 2122 45 MINT
- ^ a b Gripsweat - THE SUPERBS The Dawning Of Love SYMBOL NORTHERN SOUL USA 45
- ^ Billboard, October 24, 1970 - Page 51 Billboard BEST SELLING Soul Singles, 49 50 ............... 2
- ^ Billboard, October 31, 1970 - Page 42 Soul, Billboard BEST SELLING Soul Singles, Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY, For Week Ending 10/31/70
- ^ Billboard, November 7, 1970 - Page 31 Billboard BEST SELLING Soul Singles, Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY, For Week Ending 11/7/70
- ^ Cash Box, October 24, 1970 - Page 38 Cash Box Top 60 In R & B Locations
- ^ Cash Box, October 31, 1970 - Page 37 Cash Box Top 60 In R & B Locations
- ^ Champagne Filmmaker channel - Music Executive PAUL L KYSER OF TRUMPET RECORDS SIT DOWN DOCUMENTARY 19:00
- ^ Champagne Filmmaker channel - Music Executive PAUL L KYSER OF TRUMPET RECORDS SIT DOWN DOCUMENTARY 20:00
- ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series, Volume 25, Part 5, Number I, Section I - January–June 1968 - Page 626 STUCK TO YOU LIKE A MAGNET
- ^ Billboard, March 27, 1971 - Page 115' 'CAMPUS ATTRACTIONS, Popular Artists, Continued from page 110
- ^ Record World, August 14, 1971 - Page 68 New Terrain Rather Than Old Landmarks By LARRY COHEN
- ^ Record World, March 17, 1973 - Record World SOUL TRUTH By DEDE DABNEY
- ^ 45Cat - The Superbs (Devotion) - Discography
- ^ 45Cat - Record Details, Artist: Retta Young, Catalogue: AP 2355
- ^ Disco Charts - Currently Reviewing the week of June 14, 1975!
- ^ Cash Box, April 12, 1975 - Page 16 cash box / news, Lenier, Landon Ink Platinum Pact
- ^ Billboard, June 14, 1975 - Page 26 Disco Action By TOM MOULTON
- ^ Record World, June 14, 1975 - Page 22 Discotheque Hit Parade
- ^ Billboard, June 28, 1975 - Page 68 International, From The Music Capitals Of The World, LONDON
- ^ Top of the Pops Archive - Retta Young, Artist Appearances, Episode 19/06/1975, Performance Sending Out An S.o.s.
- ^ Cash Box, August 23, 1975 - Page 34 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B
- ^ Cash Box, August 30, 1975 - Page 19 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B
- ^ Disco Charts - DISCO CHART DEBUT For Week Ending May 31, 1975
- ^ Record Mirror & Disc, October 4, 1975 - Page 3 ALL PLATINUM TOUR
- ^ Billboard, October 18, 1975 - Page 52 International, From The Music Capitols Of The World, BRUSSELS * Continued from page 51
- ^ Internet Archive - Patty (The Original Soundtrack Recording) by Various Artists; The Moments; Chuck Jackson; Retta Young; The Rimshots
- ^ Turner Classic Movies - PATTY, CREDITS
- ^ Cash Box, March 27, 1976 - Page 116 cash box R&B news report, r&b ingredients
- ^ Temple of Shlock, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 - The Endangered List (Case File #140) -- Found!
- ^ British Film Institute - Patty (1976)
- ^ Metro Silicon Valley, April 11–17, 2002 - Turning Symbionese, Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart in film and music By Richard von Busack
- ^ Amazon - Needing You Wanting You, LP, Chuck Jackson (Artist) Format: Vinyl
- ^ Cash Box, February 7, 1976 - Page 26 cash box R&B news report, r&b ingredients
- ^ Cash Box, March 26, 1977 - Page 42 ADDITIONS TO R&B PLAYLISTS
- ^ a b 45Cat - Retta Young - Discography
- ^ Who Sampled - That's How Some Men Are by Retta Young
- ^ The Quietus, December 17th, 2014 - Reviews, Various Artists, A Fine Selection Of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82 - Neil Kulkarni
- ^ Fact Mag, Oct 14 2014 - Soul Jazz prep new disco compilation featuring Retta Young, John Morales and more
- ^ AllMusic - Retta Young, Young and Restless, Releases
- ^ Soul Brother Records, May 5, 2017 - New releases and pre-orders | 5 May 2017, New Releases
- ^ The Independent, Wednesday 20 October 2010 - Al Goodman: Soul singer who had UK Top Ten hits in the 1970s and 1980s - Pierre Perrone
- ^ Createspace - Retta Young And The Devotions (Digitally Remastered) [dead link]
- ^ 45Cat - Retta Young - Discography
- ^ Discogs - Retta Young* – Young And Restless
External links
- 45Cat - Retta Young - Discography
- Discogs - Rhetta Young Discography
- Jazz Rock Soul - Retta Young
- Soul Source, February 11, 2009 I'm A New Member By Guest Paul Kyser (Paul Kyser visits the website forum)
- TOP401975 channel - Retta Young - Sending Out An S.O.S.
- funkgetier channel - RETTA YOUNG More S.O.S.
- Champagne Filmmaker channel - Music Executive Paul L. Kyser of Trumpet Records Sit Down Documentary (at 17:27 Ksyer talks about The Superbs and "Dawning of Love")