Judy Clay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Judy Clay
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Judith Grace Guions |
| Born | September 12, 1938 St. Pauls, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | July 19, 2001 (aged 62) Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Genres | Soul, gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Labels | Ember, Lavette, Scepter, Stax, Atlantic |
| Associated acts | The Sweet Inspirations, Billy Vera |
Judy Clay (born September 12, 1938 – died July 19, 2001) was an amazing American singer. She was known for her powerful soul and gospel songs. Judy became most famous in the 1960s for singing in duos with other artists.
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Judy Clay's Early Life and Music
Judy Clay was born Judith Grace Guions in St. Pauls, North Carolina. Her grandmother raised her in Fayetteville. From a young age, Judy loved to sing in church.
In the early 1950s, she moved to Brooklyn. There, Lee Drinkard Warrick welcomed her into her home. Lee was part of a famous gospel group called The Drinkard Singers.
Joining The Drinkard Singers
When Judy was just 14, she became a regular singer with The Drinkard Singers. This gospel group started in Newark, New Jersey, around 1938. Other famous singers were also part of this group sometimes. These included Lee Warrick's sister, Emily, who later became Cissy Houston. Emily's daughters, Dionne and Delia, also sang with them. They later became known as Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick.
Judy made her first recording with The Drinkard Singers. It was for their 1954 album, The Newport Spiritual Stars. The Drinkard Singers later became known as The Sweet Inspirations.
Starting a Solo Career
Judy left The Drinkard Singers in 1960. She then recorded her first solo song, "More Than You Know." This song was released on Ember Records. She released more songs on other labels like Lavette and Scepter Records. However, these songs did not become very popular at first. One of her songs, "You Busted My Mind," later became a hit in the UK. It was popular in Northern soul nightclubs.
Breaking Barriers with Duets
In 1967, a music producer named Jerry Wexler had a great idea. He worked for Atlantic Records. He decided to pair Judy with a white singer-songwriter named Billy Vera. They formed the first duo in the United States with singers of different races.
Singing with Billy Vera
Judy and Billy Vera recorded a song called "Storybook Children." The Sweet Inspirations also sang on this record. The song became very popular. It reached No. 20 on the US R&B chart. It also reached No. 54 on the pop chart. This was a big moment in music history. It was the first time a major record label released a song by an interracial duo.
However, it was not always easy for them. Billy Vera said that some television shows did not want them to perform together. They were not used to seeing a Black and white singer as a duo. This was unfair to Judy and Billy. Sometimes, other singers performed their song on TV instead of them.
After "Storybook Children," Judy and Billy had another hit duet. It was called "Country Girl, City Man." This song also did well on the charts. They even released an album together.
Success with William Bell
After her duets with Billy Vera, Judy returned to Stax Records. There, she found more success singing with William Bell. Their song, "Private Number," was a big hit. It reached No. 17 on the R&B chart and No. 75 on the U.S. pop chart. It was even more popular in the UK, reaching No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart.
They released another song together called "My Baby Specializes." This song also made it onto the R&B chart. Judy then went back to Atlantic Records for one more song with Billy Vera, "Reaching for the Moon." Her last solo hit was "Greatest Love," which reached No. 45 on the R&B chart in 1970.
Later Career and Legacy
After her singing career, Judy Clay worked as a backing vocalist. She sang for many famous artists. These included Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Donny Hathaway, and Wilson Pickett.
In 1979, Judy faced a health challenge. After she recovered, she returned to singing gospel music. She sometimes sang with Cissy Houston's gospel choir in Newark, New Jersey.
Judy Clay passed away on July 19, 2001, at the age of 62. She died due to complications from a car accident. She left behind her two sons, Todd and Leo Gatewood, her brother Raymond Guions, and her sister Sylvia Shemwell. Judy Clay's powerful voice and groundbreaking duets left a lasting mark on soul and gospel music.
