Claudia Lennear facts for kids

Claudia Lennear (born Claudia Joy Offley in 1946) is an American soul singer and teacher. She is famous for her powerful voice and for performing with some of the biggest names in rock and soul music.

Lennear started her career as one of the Ikettes, the backup singers for the famous duo Ike & Tina Turner. She also sang with stars like Joe Cocker, Leon Russell, and George Harrison. In 1973, she released her own album, Phew!.

More recently, Lennear was featured in the Oscar-winning movie 20 Feet from Stardom (2013), which tells the story of backup singers. In 2019, she was honored by being added to the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Education

Claudia Lennear was born in Providence, Rhode Island. Her last name changed when her mother married Leo V. Lennear, who was in the Navy. As a child, she grew up in Providence and was raised in the Catholic faith. Her grandmother taught her how to sing gospel songs.

At her school, she studied music and French. Her dream was to become a translator at the United Nations. She also learned to play the piano. In high school, she joined the choir. As a teenager, she loved listening to famous artists like Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Ike & Tina Turner.

In 1964, her family moved to Pomona, California, after her stepfather retired from the Navy.

Music Career

Starting Out

After high school, Lennear started singing with a soul group called The Superbs. They performed in and around Los Angeles. In 1968, she recorded her first song with the group, called "One Bad Habit."

The Ikettes

In 1968, Lennear auditioned for the famous bandleader Ike Turner. She got the part and left The Superbs to become an Ikette, one of the backup singers for the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. The Ikettes were known for their amazing singing and dancing.

Lennear said she learned a lot from her time with Ike and Tina Turner. She told a newspaper:

Without Ike and Tina, I'd probably be 20 miles from stardom, not 20 feet....they taught me how to perform, how to work with other singers and musicians. Ike taught me how to support Tina on stage. And Tina taught me how to present myself.

Working with Rock Legends

After leaving the Ikettes in 1970, Lennear became a very popular backup singer for many famous musicians. She worked with the rock band Humble Pie and was part of a singing trio with Rita Coolidge for the duo Delaney and Bonnie.

She was also one of Leon Russell's "Shelter People," a group of talented musicians who worked with him. She sang on Joe Cocker's famous Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour and album in 1970. She also performed at George Harrison's The Concert for Bangla Desh in 1971, a famous charity concert.

In 1973, Lennear released her only solo album, called Phew!. The next year, she had a small role in the movie Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, starring Clint Eastwood.

20 Feet from Stardom and Later Career

In 2013, Lennear appeared in the documentary film 20 Feet from Stardom. The movie won an Academy Award and brought new attention to the amazing talent of backup singers. After the movie came out, music legend David Bowie called Lennear and offered to write songs for her.

Since 2014, Lennear has been performing with a group called The New Ash Grove Players. In 2015, she performed at a special concert to honor Joe Cocker, along with other musicians from his Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour.

Teaching Career

Besides music, Lennear also has a passion for education. In 2006, she earned college degrees in French literature and art history from Pitzer College.

She began a new career as a teacher. Lennear has taught French, Spanish, English, and math at Mt. San Antonio College.

Personal Life

During the 1960s and 1970s, Lennear was friends with some of the most famous rock stars in the world. Her relationships with Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones and David Bowie are said to have inspired some of their songs.

For example, Bowie's song "Lady Grinning Soul" (1973) is believed to be about her. In an interview, Lennear said that her song "Not At All" was written about her friendship with Mick Jagger.

Selected Discography

Solo Album

As an Ikette

Film and TV Appearances