Carlena Williams facts for kids

Carlena Williams (February 25, 1942 – November 13, 2013) was a talented American singer. She started her career using her birth name, Flora Williams. She was also known as an Ikette in the famous Ike & Tina Turner Revue. In the 1960s, she released some songs as Carlena Weaver. Later, she toured and sang with the legendary rock band Pink Floyd. Carlena also lent her voice to many other famous artists. These included The Carpenters, Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, Etta James, and David Gilmour. She was even part of Donna Summer's backing vocal group, Sunshine, in the 1970s.

Carlena's Early Life and Music Journey

Carlena Williams, born Flora Williams, grew up in North Carolina. She started singing in church when she was just 13 years old. In high school, she was part of a singing group called the Delvettes. After finishing school, she moved to Buffalo, New York. There, she sang at a nightclub called the Shalimar Club. She even opened shows for bigger stars!

Carlena sang gospel music with the Corinthian Gospel Singers. Another singer in that group was Venetta Fields. Venetta later became an Ikette in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Carlena joined the revue in the early 1960s too. She released a few songs written and produced by Ike Turner himself. These songs came out on his record labels, Teena Records and Sonja Records.

Singing with Famous Bands

After her time as an Ikette, Carlena went back to Buffalo. She later toured with a group called the Avengers. She also released a song as Carlena Weaver in 1967.

Carlena teamed up with Venetta Fields again to form a group called The Blackberries. In 1973, they were working with the band Humble Pie. That's when Pink Floyd's guitarist, David Gilmour, asked them to sing with Pink Floyd. Venetta sang on Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon Tour. Carlena joined them for their 1974 French Summer Tour. Carlena and Venetta also sang on Pink Floyd's album Wish You Here in 1975.

In 1975, Carlena Williams released a solo song. For the rest of the 1970s, she sang backing vocals for many artists. These included Roy Buchanan, The Carpenters, Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, and Donna Summer. She also sang on David Gilmour's first solo album, David Gilmour, in 1978. In 1984, she recorded more music for Broadcast Records.

Carlena Williams wrote a book about her life called A Promise Is A Promise. It was published in 2006. She passed away on November 13, 2013.

Carlena's Music: A Quick Look

Carlena Williams released several songs throughout her career.

Singles

She released songs under different names:

• As Flora Williams in 1963.
• As Carlena Weaver in 1967 and 1968/1969.
• As Carlena Williams in 1975 and 1984.

Album Appearances

Carlena's voice can be heard on albums by The Ikettes. These include Fine Fine Fine (1992) and Can't Sit Down... 'Cos It Feels So Good: The Complete Modern Recordings (2007).

Backing Vocal Credits

Carlena sang backing vocals for many well-known artists and bands. Here are some of them:

• Etta James (1974)
• Humble Pie (1974)
• Pink Floyd (on Wish You Here, 1975)
• Donna Summer (1977 and 1978)
• Bonnie Raitt (1977)
• Van Morrison (1977)
• The Carpenters (1977)
• David Gilmour (1978)

Carlena's Book

• 2006: A Promise Is A Promise (ISBN: 978-1425908768)