Cindy Birdsong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cindy Birdsong
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Birdsong in 1967
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| Born |
Cynthia Ann Birdsong
December 15, 1939 Mount Holly, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Years active | 1960–1979 1987–2011 |
| Spouse(s) |
Charles Hewlett
(m. 1970; div. 1975) |
| Children | 1 |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | Hi-Hat Records |
Cynthia Ann Birdsong (born December 15, 1939) is an American singer. She became famous as a member of The Supremes starting in 1967. Before that, Cindy was part of another popular group called Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles.
Biography
Early Life and First Steps in Music
Cindy Birdsong was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey, on December 15, 1939. Her parents were Lloyd Birdsong, Sr. and Annie Birdsong. She spent some of her childhood in Philadelphia before her family moved back to New Jersey, settling in Camden. Cindy first dreamed of becoming a nurse and going to college.
In 1960, when Cindy returned to Philadelphia, a friend named Patsy Holt asked her to join her singing group, The Ordettes. Cindy was 20 years old, making her the oldest member of the group.
Patti LaBelle and The Bluebelles
By 1962, the group had two new members, Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx. They auditioned for a record label owner named Harold Robinson. He was impressed by Patti LaBelle's singing and decided to work with them.
The group started recording as the Blue Belles. They had their first hit song in 1963 with "Down the Aisle". Later, they released their version of "You'll Never Walk Alone", which became another hit in 1964. They also had a charted single with "Danny Boy". In 1965, the group signed with Atlantic Records and released more songs, including "All or Nothing" and "Take Me for a Little While".
Joining Diana Ross & The Supremes (1967–1970)
In 1967, Cindy Birdsong joined The Supremes, replacing Florence Ballard. For her first few years with the group, Cindy's voice was not often heard on their main hit singles. However, she did sing backing vocals on some songs with The Temptations, on live albums, and on certain studio album tracks. Cindy can be heard singing a short solo during "Let the Sunshine In" during their Farewell performance.
The "New" Supremes (1970–1976)
In 1970, Jean Terrell became the new lead singer of The Supremes after Diana Ross left. In this new lineup, Cindy's voice, along with Mary Wilson's, was heard more often. They recorded three albums with the Four Tops.
Cindy married Charles Hewlett in 1970. She continued performing with The Supremes even when she became pregnant with her son, David. She officially left the group in April 1972 after finishing the Floy Joy album.
After a short break, Cindy returned to The Supremes in November 1973, replacing Lynda Laurence, who was also pregnant. Cindy stayed with The Supremes until February 1976, when she decided to retire from the group. During this time, she contributed to two albums: The Supremes (1975) and High Energy (1976).
Later Career and Reunions
After leaving The Supremes, Cindy Birdsong worked as a nurse at UCLA Medical Center. She also worked for Suzanne de Passe at Motown Records.
In 1983, Cindy reunited with former Supremes members Mary Wilson and Diana Ross for a special TV show called Motown 25, celebrating Motown's anniversary. In 1986, she was part of a group called the Former Ladies of the Supremes but left to try a solo music career. She released a single called "Dancing Room".
In 1999, Cindy reunited with her former group, The Bluebelles (who later became Labelle). They received an award for their achievements in music and sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" together. In 2004, Cindy joined Mary Wilson and Kelly Rowland (from Destiny's Child) to perform a medley of Supremes hits for the Motown 45 anniversary TV special.
Personal Life
Cindy Birdsong married Charles Hewlett in August 1970. They had one son, Charles, who is known as David. Cindy filed for divorce in March 1975.
In recent years, Cindy Birdsong has faced some health challenges, including several strokes. Her family has been working to make sure she receives the best care and support.
A Difficult Experience
In December 1969, Cindy Birdsong faced a scary situation. While returning to her Los Angeles apartment, an intruder forced her into her car at knifepoint. Cindy bravely managed to unlock the car door and jump out of the moving vehicle onto the Long Beach Freeway to safety. She was taken to the hospital for cuts and bruises. Days later, the person responsible, Charles Collier, was caught. He was sentenced to prison for the crime. Collier stated he did not know why he had done it.
Discography
Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells
Albums
- 1963: Sweethearts of the Apollo
- 1963: Sleigh Bells, Jingle Bells & Bluebells
- 1965: On Stage
- 1966: Over the Rainbow
- 1967: Dreamer
Singles
- 1962: "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman" (#15 U.S., #13 R&B)
- 1962: "I Found a New Love"
- 1962: "Tear After Tear"
- 1963: "Cool Water"
- 1963: "Decatur Street"
- 1963: "Down the Aisle (The Wedding Song)" (#37 U.S., #14 R&B)
- 1964: "You'll Never Walk Alone"(#34 U.S., #32 R&B)
- 1964: "One Phone Call (Will Do)"
- 1964: "Danny Boy" (#76 U.S.)
- 1965: "All or Nothing" (#68 U.S.)
- 1966: "Over the Rainbow"
- 1966: "Ebb Tide"
- 1966: "I'm Still Waiting" (#36 R&B)
- 1966: "Take Me for a Little While" (#89 U.S., #36 R&B)
- 1967: "Always Something There to Remind Me"
- 1967: "Dreamer"
- 1967: "Oh My Love"
Diana Ross & The Supremes
Albums
- 1968: Reflections
- 1968: Live at London's Talk of the Town
- 1968: Diana Ross & The Supremes Sing and Perform "Funny Girl"
- 1968: Diana Ross & The Supremes Join The Temptations (w/ The Temptations)
- 1968: Love Child
- 1968: TCB (w/ The Temptations)
- 1969: Let the Sunshine In
- 1969: Together (w/ The Temptations)
- 1969: Cream of the Crop
- 1969: G.I.T. on Broadway (w/ The Temptations)
- 1970: Farewell
Singles
(All singles with The Temptations)
- 1968: "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" (#2 U.S., #2 R&B, #2 U.K.)
- 1969: "I'll Try Something New" (#25 U.S., #8 R&B)
- 1969: "The Weight" (#46 U.S., #33 R&B)
- 1969: "I Second That Emotion" (#18 U.K.)
- 1970: "Why (Must We Fall in Love)" (#31 U.K.)
The Supremes
Albums
- 1970: Right On
- 1970: The Magnificent 7 (w/ The Four Tops)
- 1970: New Ways but Love Stays
- 1971: The Return of the Magnificent Seven (w/ the Four Tops)
- 1971: Touch
- 1971: Dynamite (w/ The Four Tops)
- 1972: Floy Joy
- 1975: The Supremes
- 1976: High Energy
Singles
- 1970: "Up the Ladder to the Roof" (#10 U.S., #28 AC, #5 R&B, #6 U.K.)
- 1970: "Everybody's Got the Right to Love" (#21 U.S., #29 AC, #11 R&B)
- 1970: "River Deep – Mountain High" (w/ The Four Tops) (#14 U.S., #7 R&B, #11 U.K.)
- 1971: "Nathan Jones" (#16 U.S., #29 AC, #8 R&B, #5 U.K.)
- 1971: "You Gotta Have Love in Your Heart" (w/ The Four Tops) (#55 U.S., #41 R&B, #25 U.K.)
- 1971: "Touch" (#71 U.S.)
- 1971: "Floy Joy" (#16 U.S., #33 AC, #5 R&B, #9 U.K.)
- 1972: "Automatically Sunshine" (#37 U.S., #17 AC, #21 R&B, #10 U.K.)
- 1972: "Without the One You Love" (w/ The Four Tops)
- 1972: "Your Wonderful, Sweet Sweet Love" (#59 U.S., #22 R&B)
- 1975: "He's My Man" (#69 R&B)
- 1975: "Where Do I Go from Here" (#93 R&B)
- 1975: "Early Morning Love"
- 1976: "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking" (#40 U.S., #3 Dance, #25 R&B)
- 1976: "High Energy" (#9 Dance)
Solo
Singles
- 1987: "Dancing Room"
