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Freda Payne
Famed for her hit single Band Of Gold in 1970, Freda Payne's career crossed
between jazz, soul, disco and R&B styles and included stints in Broadway
musicals, Hollywood movies and even her own TV chat show. Growing up in Detroit,
she idolised Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, began competing in talent
contests at 12-years-old and was part of a choral group that sang spiritual
songs on local radio. She turned down offers from Berry Gordy to be one of the
first signings to his Motown label and from Duke Ellington who wanted her to
front his orchestra, and instead moved to New Yor...
