Delores Holmes facts for kids

Delores Holmes (born July 18, 1946 – died April 16, 2010) was an American soul singer. She became well-known for singing backup for the Bruce Springsteen Band. She was part of the band from 1969 to 1972, just before the famous E Street Band was formed. Other members of the Bruce Springsteen Band included David Sancious, Vini Lopez, Garry Tallent, and Steven Van Zandt.

Who Was Delores Holmes?

Delores Holmes was a talented singer from Matawan, New Jersey. She grew up in a family that loved gospel music, and she started singing from a young age. Her powerful voice made her a sought-after backup singer for many artists.

Early Life and Music Journey

Delores began her music journey singing in choirs and girl groups. She was part of the lively Jersey Shore sound music scene. In the 1960s and 1970s, she performed with several rock bands. One of these was Hot Ice, where she sang alongside Barbara Dinkins, another backup singer for Bruce Springsteen.

She also sang with many other bands from the Shore area. For several years, she was a member of The Mirrors, a group led by Gabrielle Roth. Delores also recorded and performed backup vocals for many different musicians and producers. These included Garry Tallent, Danny Federici, Bill Chinnock, Neal Coty, Steve Delopoulos from Burlap to Cashmere, and Fernando Saunders from Lou Reed's Band.

Singing with Bruce Springsteen

Delores joined the Bruce Springsteen Band after seeing a newspaper ad. They were looking for singers with a "gospel sound." She spent several years performing and touring with the band. They played concerts along the Eastern Seaboard. Some of their shows were at places like the University of Virginia and Brookdale College in New Jersey. They also performed at popular local spots like The Student Prince and Sunshine Inn.

Later Projects and Helping Others

In 2001, Delores appeared on a special TV show called Tribute to Heroes. This show honored those affected by the September 11 attacks. She sang backup for Bruce Springsteen, along with Clarence Clemons, Little Steven, Patti Scialfa, Soozie Tyrell, and Lisa Lowell. Later, she performed at New York's Beacon Theatre. This concert honored rescue workers and featured artists like Phoebe Snow, Beth Nielsen Chapman, and Bar Scott.

Delores also formed her own soul music trio called Rain. She sang with her daughter, Layonne Holmes, and Debbie Vaughn. She continued to perform and record with local bands. Delores was also a member of Holiday Express. This was a charity group made up of musicians and volunteers from the New Jersey shore. They brought music and cheer to many people.