Blinky (singer)
Encyclopedia
Sondra “Blinky” Williams (born May 21, 1944 in Oakland, California
) is an American R&B and soul
singer-songwriter.
, but later grew up in Los Angeles
. The daughter of a pastor, she was active in church choirs since the age of six.
, then moved to Motown where she recorded (as "Blinky") five singles including her debut, the Ashford & Simpson
penned single “I Wouldn’t Change The Man He Is,” (a song reportedly written about Lovin' Spoonful studio bass player James Killingsworth) in 1968, and thought she would find success when she recorded a duet album with Edwin Starr
entitled "Just We Two" on the heels of his "Twenty-Five Miles".
However, they did not get the push that either the Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell or the Supremes-Temptations duets did, and success again eluded her when, after becoming a protege of Sammy Davis, Jr.
, his deal with the label fell through.
bio-pic starring Diana Ross
, thought it was Billie herself. Unfortunately, most of her solo work, save for a few singles, remains unreleased. She can be heard live on the Motortown Revue Live! CD.
In addition, she was one of the original Cogic Singers, with Andre Crouch, Sandra Crouch, Billy Preston, Edna Wright (lead singer of The Honey Cone), Frankie Karl, and Gloria Jones. Following her non-success with Motown, she returned to gospel music and resumed her given name.
On October 31, 2009, Sondra appeared as a backup singer, along with Sharon Jones, performing The Rolling Stones
' "Exile on Main Street" as part of the rock band Phish
's musical costume at their Festival 8, which was held at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, CA from 10/30/09 thoughu 11/1/09.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
) is an American R&B and soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singer-songwriter.
Early life
Williams was born in Oakland, CaliforniaOakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, but later grew up in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. The daughter of a pastor, she was active in church choirs since the age of six.
Career
She recorded the album "Hark The Voice" on Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, then moved to Motown where she recorded (as "Blinky") five singles including her debut, the Ashford & Simpson
Ashford & Simpson
Nickolas Ashford , and Valerie Simpson , were a husband and wife songwriting/production team and recording artists....
penned single “I Wouldn’t Change The Man He Is,” (a song reportedly written about Lovin' Spoonful studio bass player James Killingsworth) in 1968, and thought she would find success when she recorded a duet album with Edwin Starr
Edwin Starr
Edwin Starr was an American soul music singer. Starr is most famous for his Norman Whitfield produced singles of the 1970s, most notably the number one hit "War".-Biography:...
entitled "Just We Two" on the heels of his "Twenty-Five Miles".
However, they did not get the push that either the Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell or the Supremes-Temptations duets did, and success again eluded her when, after becoming a protege of Sammy Davis, Jr.
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Samuel George "Sammy" Davis Jr. was an American entertainer and was also known for his impersonations of actors and other celebrities....
, his deal with the label fell through.
Later career
Her version of God Bless The Child, which appears on both the album Rock Gospel: The Key To The Kingdom and the soundtrack of Lady Sings The Blues, was so powerful, that many people who saw the Billie HolidayBillie Holiday
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
bio-pic starring Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
, thought it was Billie herself. Unfortunately, most of her solo work, save for a few singles, remains unreleased. She can be heard live on the Motortown Revue Live! CD.
In addition, she was one of the original Cogic Singers, with Andre Crouch, Sandra Crouch, Billy Preston, Edna Wright (lead singer of The Honey Cone), Frankie Karl, and Gloria Jones. Following her non-success with Motown, she returned to gospel music and resumed her given name.
On October 31, 2009, Sondra appeared as a backup singer, along with Sharon Jones, performing The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
' "Exile on Main Street" as part of the rock band Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
's musical costume at their Festival 8, which was held at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, CA from 10/30/09 thoughu 11/1/09.