Pat Powdrill facts for kids

Pat Powdrill (born January 21, 1948 – died April 11, 1996) was a talented American soul singer and songwriter. She was famous for being a member of the Ikettes in the 1960s. The Ikettes were a popular singing group. Pat also started her career as a solo artist. She recorded music for labels like Reprise Records and Downey Records. Later, she sang backup for many other musicians.

Pat's Early Life and Music Career

Pat Powdrill was born in Birmingham, Alabama. When she was 8 years old, her family moved to Los Angeles, California.

At just 15 years old, Pat signed with Frank Sinatra's record company, Reprise Records, in 1963. Her music was produced by Jimmy Bowen. The songs were arranged by talented musicians like Jack Nitzsche and David Gates. She released three singles with Reprise between 1963 and 1964. However, none of these songs became big hits. During this time, her mother traveled with her. Her mother acted as a chaperone while Pat performed. She opened shows for famous artists like Johnny Otis, Esther Phillips, and Dinah Washington in San Francisco.

While still working with Reprise, Pat met Nick Risi. He was an independent record producer. Pat's mother worked with Nick's father, which is how they met. Pat would go to practice sessions for other artists. These sessions happened at Record City, a studio owned by Nick's friend, Jim Thomas. After her contract with Reprise ended, Pat recorded new songs for Nick Risi and Jim Thomas. This led to two singles being released on Downey Records between 1966 and 1967. Her song "Do It" became very popular in the northern soul music scene. Her second single on Downey Records was "Together Forever." This song was co-written by the famous musician Barry White. It was released as Pat Powdrill & the Powerdrills. The Powerdrills were other singers who helped on the recording.

Joining the Ikettes

Around late 1967, Pat Powdrill became an Ikette. The Ikettes were a singing group that performed with Ike & Tina Turner in their show. In April 1968, Pat toured the United Kingdom with the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. They even opened shows for the famous band the Rolling Stones during their 1969 American Tour.

Ike Turner wrote in his book, Takin' Back My Name, about a time in Las Vegas. He said that Pat decided to leave the group during that trip. She returned to Los Angeles.

In 1969, Pat's manager, Nick Risi, made a deal with Forward Records. This was a part of Transcontinental Entertainment Corporation. Nick Risi and Bob Summers were supposed to produce Pat's recording session for Sidewalk Productions. However, no records by Pat were released on this label. Nick Risi then moved to the UK. For a short time, Pat replaced another former Ikette, Venetta Fields, in a group called the Mirettes. But that group broke up in the early 1970s.

Backing Vocalist Work

Throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s, Pat Powdrill worked as a backing vocalist. This means she sang harmony and background parts for other artists. She worked with many different musicians. Some of these included Dr. John, Wilton Felder, Diana Ross, the Brothers Johnson, and Tracy Nelson.

In 1976, Pat was a singer on the hit song "Uptown Festival" by Shalamar. She was not given credit for her singing on the record. The song was produced by Simon Soussan. It was recorded at Ike & Tina Turner's Bolic Sound studio. Pat said that the producer told them it was just a demo. A demo is a practice recording. She said that Simon Soussan took the song to Soul Train Records and made a lot of money from it. Pat Powdrill did not receive any money for her work on the song. She also helped write the song "If It Wasn't For My Baby." This song was on Martha Reeves' 1980 album, Gotta Keep Moving.

Pat Powdrill lived in Los Angeles for the rest of her life. She passed away on April 11, 1996.

Pat Powdrill's Music

This section lists the songs and albums Pat Powdrill was a part of.

Singles

• 1963: "I Only Came To Dance With You" / "Fell By The Wayside" (Reprise R-20 166)
• 1963: "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know" / "Happy Anniversary" (Reprise R-20 204)
• 1964: "Breaking Point" / "Luckiest Girl In Town" (Reprise 0286)
• 1966: "I Can't Hear You" / "Do It" (Downey D-139)
• 1967: "Together Forever" / "They Are The Lonely" (Downey D-141)

Album Appearances

• 2008: Northern Soul's Classiest Rarities 3 (Kent Dance)
• 2011: The Downey Story: Landlocked (Ace Records)
• 2015: Girl Zone! (Ace Records)
• 2019: Would She Do That For You?! Girl Group Sounds USA 1964–68 (Ace Records)

Backing Vocal Credits

• 1973: Sharon Cash – Sharon Cash
• 1974: Tracy Nelson – Tracy Nelson
• 1974: Michael Murphey – Michael Murphey
• 1975: El Coco – Brazil
• 1975: El Coco – Mondo Disc
• 1976: El Coco – Let's Get It Together
• 1980: Wilton Felder – Inherit The Wind