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Edna Wright (February 2, 1945 – September 12, 2020) was an American singer, best known as the lead singer of
Honey Cone Honey Cone was an American R&B and soul girl group formed by lead singer Edna Wright (sister of Darlene Love) with Carolyn Willis and Shelly Clark in 1968. They are best remembered for their number-one ''Billboard'' Hot 100 single, "Want Ads" ...
, the girl group that went to No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 with the song "
Want Ads "Want Ads" is a song that was a million-selling #1 pop and R&B hit recorded by female group, Honey Cone for their second album '' Sweet Replies'' and also appears on their third album ''Soulful Tapestry''. The song on the Detroit-based Hot Wax ...
" in 1971. She was the younger sister of singer
Darlene Love Darlene Wright (born July 26, 1941), known professionally as Darlene Love, is an American singer and actress. She was the lead singer of the girl group the Blossoms and she also recorded as a solo artist. She began singing as a child with her ...
. Wright sang backup for various artists, including
the Righteous Brothers The Righteous Brothers are an American musical duo originally formed by Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield but now comprising Medley and Bucky Heard. Medley formed the group with Hatfield in 1963. They had first performed together in 1962 in the Lo ...
,
Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...
, and
Cher Cher (; born Cherilyn Sarkisian; May 20, 1946) is an American singer, actress and television personality. Often referred to by the media as the Honorific nicknames in popular music, "Goddess of Pop", she has been described as embodying female ...
.


Life and career

Edna Wright, a Los Angeles native, grew up singing in the church. Her father, Bishop J.W. Wright, was a pastor at King's Holiness Chapel in Los Angeles. In 1960, she began singing in a gospel group called The COGIC (Church of God in Christ) singers. Through her older sister,
Darlene Love Darlene Wright (born July 26, 1941), known professionally as Darlene Love, is an American singer and actress. She was the lead singer of the girl group the Blossoms and she also recorded as a solo artist. She began singing as a child with her ...
, Wright met producer
Phil Spector Harvey Phillip Spector (born Harvey Philip Spector; December 26, 1939January 16, 2021) was an American record producer and songwriter, best known for his innovative recording practices and entrepreneurship in the 1960s, followed decades later by ...
.
Jack Nitzsche Bernard Alfred "Jack" Nitzsche ( '; April 22, 1937 – August 25, 2000) was an American musician, arranger, songwriter, composer, and record producer. He first came to prominence in the early 1960s as the right-hand-man of producer Phil Spe ...
, an associate of Spector, produced her first feature recording in 1964. Wright sang lead on "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" by Hale and the Hushabyes which was a pseudonym for a group that included
Brian Wilson Brian Douglas Wilson (born June 20, 1942) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who co-founded the Beach Boys. Often Brian Wilson is a genius, called a genius for his novel approaches to pop music, pop composition, ex ...
,
Sonny & Cher Sonny & Cher were an American pop and entertainment duo in the 1960s and 1970s, made up of husband and wife Sonny Bono and Cher. The couple started their career in the mid-1960s as R&B backing singers for record producer Phil Spector. The pair f ...
,
Jackie DeShannon Jackie DeShannon (born Sharon Lee Myers, August 21, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter and radio broadcaster with a string of hit song credits from the 1960s onwards, as both singer and composer. She was one of the first female singer-songw ...
. Under the stage name Sandy Wynns she released her debut solo single "A Touch of Venus" on Champion Records, which led to a nationwide nightclub tour. She then became a backing vocalist for
the Righteous Brothers The Righteous Brothers are an American musical duo originally formed by Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield but now comprising Medley and Bucky Heard. Medley formed the group with Hatfield in 1963. They had first performed together in 1962 in the Lo ...
,
Johnny Rivers Johnny Rivers (born John Henry Ramistella; November 7, 1942) is an American musician. His repertoire includes pop, folk, blues, and old-time rock 'n' roll. Rivers charted during the 1960s and 1970s but remains best known for a string of hit sing ...
, and
Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...
. Charles asked her to join
the Raelettes The Raelettes (or occasionally The Raelets or The Raeletts) were an American girl group formed in 1958 to provide backing vocals for Ray Charles. They were reformed from the group The Cookies. Between 1966 and 1973, the Raelettes recorded on ...
, his female backing group. In 1968, Wright's sister Darlene Love was scheduled to appear on an
Andy Williams Howard Andrew Williams (December 3, 1927 – September 25, 2012) was an American singer. He recorded 43 albums in his career, of which 15 have been gold certified and three platinum certified. He was also nominated for six Grammy Awards. He hos ...
TV special. She was unable to attend, so she asked Wright to fill in for her. Wright asked Carolyn Willis and
Shelly Clark Shelly Clark (born July 27, 1947) is an American singer, dancer and actress, best known as a founding member of the 1970s R&B girls group, Honey Cone who had the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit single, " Want Ads" released in March 1971. Early life ...
to join her for the appearance. She also contacted
Eddie Holland Edward Holland Jr. (born October 30, 1939) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Holland was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Although he was an early Motown artist who recorded minor hit singles such as "Jamie", he ...
, who recently left
Motown Motown Records is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. It was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on June 7, 1958, and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau of ''moto ...
Records along with
Brian Holland Brian Holland (born February 15, 1941) is an American songwriter and record producer, best known as a member of Holland–Dozier–Holland, the songwriting and production team that was responsible for much of the Motown sound, and numerous h ...
and
Lamont Dozier Lamont Herbert Dozier (; June 16, 1941 – August 8, 2022) was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer from Detroit, Michigan. He co-wrote and produced 14 US ''Billboard'' number-one hits and four number ones in the UK. Career Doz ...
to form HDH Records, to watch the show. Impressed by Wright, Holland offered her a contract, but she preferred to be in a group. He signed the trio to
Hot Wax Records Hot Wax Records was a Detroit, Michigan-based record label, created by producers/songwriters Holland–Dozier–Holland (Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland) in 1968 when they left Motown. History Until 1967, Holland, Dozier, and Holl ...
. They released their debut single, "While You're Out Looking for Sugar", in 1969. But their biggest success came in 1971 when they topped the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 with the hit "Want Ads" from the album ''
Soulful Tapestry ''Soulful Tapestry'' is the third studio album by girl group Honey Cone. It was released by Hot Wax/ Invictus Records in 1971 (see 1971 in music). Album information The name of the album was based on and inspired by Carole King's Pop/Rock break- ...
''. The song spent one week at No. 1, and also spent three weeks atop the R&B chart. The record was certified gold by the
RIAA The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/ ...
, and their next single "
Stick-Up "Stick-Up" is Honey Cone Honey Cone was an American R&B and soul girl group formed by lead singer Edna Wright (sister of Darlene Love) with Carolyn Willis and Shelly Clark in 1968. They are best remembered for their number-one ''Billboa ...
," also went gold. The trio split up in 1973. Wright married musician Greg Perry, who co-wrote and produced many of Honey Cone's recordings at Hot Wax. In 1977, she released her only solo album, ''
Oops! Here I Go Again ''Oops! Here I Go Again'' is the debut and only studio album by former Honey Cone vocalist Edna Wright. It was produced by her husband Greg Perry and released on RCA Victor in 1977. Track listing #Oops! Here I Go Again - (Edna Wright, Greg P ...
'', on
RCA Victor RCA Records is an American record label currently owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside RCA's former long-time rival Columbia Records; also A ...
, which Perry produced. In the 1980s and 1990s, Wright sang backup for various musical acts, including U2,
Kim Carnes Kim Carnes (; born July 20, 1945) is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, she began her career as a songwriter in the 1960s, writing for other artists while performing in local clubs and working as a sess ...
,
Aaron Neville Aaron Joseph Neville (born January 24, 1941) is a retired American R&B and soul singer. He has had four platinum albums and four Top 10 hits in the United States, including three that reached number one on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart. ...
and
Andraé Crouch Andraé Edward Crouch (July 1, 1942 – January 8, 2015) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, record producer and pastor. Referred to as "the father of modern gospel music" by contemporary Christian and gospel music profes ...
. On September 18, 2016, Wright along with Clark were honored with the 2016 National Rhythm and Blues Music Society Unsung Heroine Awards at their Black Tie Gala, Dinner & Awards Ceremony at the Double Tree by Hilton in Philadelphia, PA. Willis, who was not in attendance received an award as well. On September 24, 2017, Wright and Clark were honored with the Heroes and Legends Award (HAL) in Music at The Beverly Hill Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA. On September 12, 2020, Wright died suddenly, at age 75 after suffering a heart attack at a hospital in Encino, California. She suffered from
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a type of progressive lung disease characterized by long-term respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. The main symptoms include shortness of breath and a cough, which may or may not produce ...
. Her sister Darlene Love released a statement on her Facebook page: "I'm in complete shock and so heartbroken by the sudden loss of my beautiful baby sister Edna. Please keep me and my family in your prayers during this very sad time for us." On 8, January 2021, Honey Cone was inducted into the Soul Music Hall Of Fame Class of 2020.


Discography


Albums

* 1966: The Cogics – ''It's a Blessing'' (Exodus Records) * 1977: ''
Oops! Here I Go Again ''Oops! Here I Go Again'' is the debut and only studio album by former Honey Cone vocalist Edna Wright. It was produced by her husband Greg Perry and released on RCA Victor in 1977. Track listing #Oops! Here I Go Again - (Edna Wright, Greg P ...
'' (RCA Victor)


Singles

* 1964: "The Touch of Venus" / "A Lover's Quarrel" (Champion 14001) * 1964: "Love Belongs to Everyone" / "Yes I Really Love You" (Champion 14002) * 1977: "You Can't See the Forest (for the Trees)" / "Nothing Comes to a Sleeper (But A Dream)" (RCA 11014)


Backing vocal credits

* 1969:
Stan Kenton Stanley Newcomb Kenton (December 15, 1911 – August 25, 1979) was an American popular music and jazz artist. As a pianist, composer, arranger and band leader, he led an innovative and influential jazz orchestra for almost four decades. Though K ...
''Hair'' * 1969:
The Righteous Brothers The Righteous Brothers are an American musical duo originally formed by Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield but now comprising Medley and Bucky Heard. Medley formed the group with Hatfield in 1963. They had first performed together in 1962 in the Lo ...
– ''Re-Birth'' * 1971:
Al Kooper Al Kooper (born Alan Peter Kuperschmidt; February 5, 1944) is a retired American songwriter, record producer and musician, known for organizing Blood, Sweat & Tears, although he did not stay with the group long enough to share its popularity. ...
– '' New York City (You're a Woman)'' * 1974:
Freda Payne Freda Charcilia Payne (born September 19, 1942Some sources give a birth year of 1945, but this appears to be an error as all sources agree that she is older than her sister Scherrie, born 1944.) is an American singer and actress. Payne is best ...
– '' Payne & Pleasure'' * 1974: Nancy Wilson''All In Love Is Fair'' * 1974:
Stanley Turrentine Stanley William Turrentine (April 5, 1934 – September 12, 2000) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. He began his career playing R&B for Earl Bostic and later soul jazz recording for the Blue Note label from 1960, touched on jazz fusion ...
''Pieces of Dreams'' * 1975:
Stanley Turrentine Stanley William Turrentine (April 5, 1934 – September 12, 2000) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. He began his career playing R&B for Earl Bostic and later soul jazz recording for the Blue Note label from 1960, touched on jazz fusion ...
''In the Pocket'' * 1975:
Cher Cher (; born Cherilyn Sarkisian; May 20, 1946) is an American singer, actress and television personality. Often referred to by the media as the Honorific nicknames in popular music, "Goddess of Pop", she has been described as embodying female ...
''Stars'' * 1979:
Elkie Brooks Elkie Brooks (born Elaine Bookbinder; 25 February 1946) is an English rock, blues and jazz singer. She was a vocalist with the bands Dada and Vinegar Joe, and later became a solo artist. She gained her biggest success in the late 1970s and 198 ...
''Live and Learn'' * 1980:
Kim Carnes Kim Carnes (; born July 20, 1945) is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, she began her career as a songwriter in the 1960s, writing for other artists while performing in local clubs and working as a sess ...
– ''
Romance Dance ''Romance Dance'' is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Kim Carnes. It was released on June 2, 1980 by EMI America. It became Carnes' first charting album, peaking at no. 57 on the ''Billboard'' 200. Nine tracks were produced by ...
'' * 1982:
Andraé Crouch Andraé Edward Crouch (July 1, 1942 – January 8, 2015) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, record producer and pastor. Referred to as "the father of modern gospel music" by contemporary Christian and gospel music profes ...
– ''Finally'' * 1988: Darlene Love – ''Paint Another Picture'' * 1988: U2 – ''
Rattle and Hum ''Rattle and Hum'' is a hybrid live/studio album by Irish rock band U2, and a companion rockumentary film directed by Phil Joanou. The album was produced by Jimmy Iovine and was released on 10 October 1988, while the film was distributed by ...
'' * 1988: U2 – " Desire (Hollywood Remix)" * 1993:
Aaron Neville Aaron Joseph Neville (born January 24, 1941) is a retired American R&B and soul singer. He has had four platinum albums and four Top 10 hits in the United States, including three that reached number one on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart. ...
– ''The Grand Tour'' * 2017: Mike Love – ''
Unleash the Love ''Unleash the Love'' is the second solo studio album by American singer Mike Love. It was released on November 17, 2017. Background and production Before ''Unleash the Love'', Mike Love had not officially released a solo album since 1981's '' ...
''


References


External links


Edna Wright
on
AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Music ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wright, Edna 1944 births 2020 deaths Singers from Los Angeles American soul singers 20th-century African-American women singers RCA Victor artists 21st-century African-American people 21st-century African-American women