Debbie Taylor facts for kids

Maydie Myles, born Maddie Bell Galvin on June 23, 1947, is an American singer. She is famous for her soul and jazz music. During the 1960s and 1970s, she was known by her stage name, Debbie Taylor. Her song "Never Gonna Let Him Know" was a big hit in 1969. It even made it onto the Billboard pop music chart.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Growing Up in Norfolk, Virginia

Maddie Bell Galvin was born in Norfolk, Virginia. Her first name, Maddie, was pronounced "Maydie." She later started spelling it that way. From a young age, she sang gospel songs. She performed in her father's church.

Teenage Years and First Performances

As a teenager, Maydie toured across the country. She sang gospel music with a group. She also performed jazz music with a trio. This group was led by her high school music teacher, Reginald Walker. In 1965, she even sang at the World's Fair. Because her family was very religious, she used the name Debbie Taylor. This was when she sang R&B music in clubs. In 1967, a talent scout named Joe Medlin saw her perform. He worked for Decca Records.

Recording Career as Debbie Taylor

First Recordings with Decca Records

After her mother signed a contract, Debbie Taylor began recording. She worked at Royal Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Her first songs, "I Get the Blues" and "The Last Laugh Is on The Blues," came out in 1968. Another song, "Check Yourself," was written by famous musicians Isaac Hayes and David Porter. Debbie's version of "Check Yourself" became a hit. It reached number 37 on the R&B chart in 1968. People loved her emotional singing on this blues-style song.

Success with GWP Records

In 1969, Debbie started recording for a new label called GWP Records. Her first song with them was "Never Gonna Let Him Know." This song was a huge success. It reached number 18 on the national R&B chart. It also hit number 86 on the pop chart. However, her next songs with GWP were not as popular. She left the label in 1972.

New Albums and Later Hits

After leaving GWP, Debbie worked with Terry Phillips and Boo Frazier. They helped her record her first album, Comin' Down On You. This album was released by the Today label. She also recorded the song "I Have Learned To Do Without You." This song came out on Polydor Records in 1973. But she still struggled to find major success.

In 1975, she recorded "I Don’t Wanna Leave You." This song was released by Arista Records. It became another hit for her. It reached number 32 on the R&B chart. It also made it to number 100 on the pop chart. This song and its B-side, "Just Don't Pay," became very popular in the UK. They were big hits in the "Northern Soul" music scene. Despite this, Debbie decided to take a break from music. She retired for several years.

Later Life and Return to Music

Life as Maydie Miles

After getting married in the 1970s, she became known as Maydie Miles. In the early 1980s, she moved to Stamford, Connecticut. Later, she moved to Norwalk. There, she sang on several dance tracks. These songs were released by K4B Records between 1994 and 1998. As Maydie Myles, she also performed with her band. She sang in local clubs. She also recorded songs for radio and advertisements. For a long time, people did not know that Maydie Myles was the same person as Debbie Taylor.

Re-emergence and New Interest

In 2011, Maydie Myles released a jazz CD. It was called The Ones I Love. With this album, she told everyone about her earlier career as Debbie Taylor. This created a lot of new interest in her music. A new version of her song "Just Don't Pay" was released in the UK. In 2013, she performed a sold-out show in the UK.

Discography

Decca Records 7" Singles

• "I Get the Blues" / "The Last Laugh is on the Blues" (1968)
• "Check Yourself" / "Wait Until I'm Gone" (1968)

GWP Records 7" Singles

• "Never Gonna Let Him Know" / "Let's Prove Them Wrong" (1969)
• "Don't Let it End" / "How Long Can This Last" (1969)
• "Momma, Look Sharp" (flipside to The Hesitations) / "No Brag Just Fact" (1969)

GWP Grapevine 7" Singles

• "Don't Nobody Mess with my Baby" / "Stop" (1970)

Today Records Album

• Comin' Down on You (1972)
  • "No If's, And's or But's"
  • "(I Can't Believe I'm) Touchin' You"
  • "Too Sad to Tell"
  • "Second to None"
  • "Romance Without Finance"
  • "Leaving Him Tomorrow"
  • "No Deposit, No Return"
  • "Eye Doctor"
  • "Jeremiah"

Today Records 7" Singles

• "No Deposit, No Return" / "Too Sad to Tell" (1972)

Polydor Records 7" Singles

• "I Have Learned to Do Without You" / "Cheaper in the Long Run" (1973)

Arista Records 7" Singles

• "Just Don't Pay" / "I Don't Wanna Leave You" (1975)

Reissued Albums

• Still Comin' Down on Ya! (1997) - A re-release of Comin' Down on You.
• Soul Twins, Volume I (2007) - Includes Comin' Down on You.

Compilation Albums Featuring Her Songs

• "I Have Learned to do Without You" on Urban Classics III (1989)
• "Too Sad to Tell" on Doors of Perception (2001)
• "Too Sad to Tell" on Sisters of Soul (2004)
• Songs like "Let's Prove Them Wrong" and "Don't Let it End" on NYC TCB (2006)