Louisa Mark facts for kids

Louisa Lynthia Mark (born January 11, 1960 – died October 17, 2009) was a talented British singer. She was also known as "Markswoman". Louisa was famous for her lovers rock music, especially in the mid-1970s and early 1980s. Her song "Caught You in a Lie" from 1975 is even considered the very first lovers rock song ever!

Louisa Mark's Early Life and Music Journey

Louisa Mark was born in Kensal Rise, London. Her parents were immigrants from Grenada. She grew up in Shepherd's Bush.

Louisa started her music career by singing with Dennis Bovell's Sufferer sound system. A sound system is like a big mobile DJ setup with huge speakers. She also sang regularly at the Metro club in Westbourne Park.

She became well-known by winning "Star Search" talent contests. These were held at the Four Aces club in Dalston. She won for ten weeks in a row!

A record producer named Lloyd Coxsone helped her. In late 1974, when she was just fifteen, he gave her a chance to record her first song. This was a cover of Robert Parker's "Caught You in a Lie". The band Matumbi played the music for her. This song was also released in Jamaica.

"Caught You in a Lie" became a big hit with reggae fans. It is seen as the first ever lovers rock single. After this, she released a version of The Beatles' song "All My Loving". Her music career paused for a while after a disagreement. She then focused on finishing her school studies.

Returning to Music

After leaving school, Louisa Mark started her music career again. She worked with Trojan Records producer Clement Bushay. She also worked with songwriter Joseph "Tunga" Charles. Together, they released the song "Keep it Like It Is".

She continued to release music with Bushay's own label, Bushays. This included her version of Michael Jackson's "Even Though You're Gone". She also released "Six Sixth Street" and her first album, Breakout, in 1981. Louisa was not happy with the album. She felt it was released before it was truly finished. Because of this, she did not record any new music for over a year.

Louisa Mark went back to the studio in 1982. She recorded the song "Mum and Dad". This song was arranged by the famous musicians Sly & Robbie.

In 1978, Louisa Mark was voted Artist of The Year at the Reggae Awards in the UK. This showed how popular and talented she was.

Louisa Mark's Passing

On October 18, 2009, a radio host named Dotun Adebayo announced that Louisa Mark had passed away. She had been living in Gambia.

On October 20, 2009, Trojan Records confirmed the sad news. They stated that she died from a stomach ulcer.

Discography

Albums

• Breakout (1981), Bushays

Singles

• "Caught You in a Lie" (1975), Safari - 7"
• "All My Loving" (1975), Safari - 7"
• "Even Though You're Gone" (1978), Bushays - 12"
• "Six Sixth Street" (1978), Bushays
• "Caught You in a Lie" (1979), Voyage International - 12", B-side by Clinton Grant
• "People in Love" (1980), Radic - 12"
• "All My Loving (1984), Voyage International - 7"
• "Caught You in a Lie" (1984), Code - 12"
• "Hello There" (1984), Oak Sound - 12", Louisa Mark & Zabandis
• "Mum and Dad" (1982), Bushays, 12"
• "Keep It Like It Is" (1986), Trojan - 7"/12"
• "Reunited" b/w "Reunited Stepping Out" with Kevin & The Bushrangers, Bushays, BFM 113, 12"
• "Foolish Fool", Sky Note, 12"