Pearl Reaves facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pearl Reaves
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Publicity photo of Pearl Reaves and the Paul Farano Trio taken in the 1960s. Robert Green, Eddie Shaw, Pearl Reaves Farano, Paul Farano.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Pearl Reaves |
| Born | June 7, 1929 Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Died | March 6, 2000 (aged 70) Boston, Massachusetts |
| Genres | R&B, Rock and roll, Soul, Gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Guitar player |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar |
| Years active | 1950s |
| Labels | Harlem |
Pearl Reaves (born June 7, 1929 – died March 6, 2000) was an American singer and guitar player. She was also known by her married name, Pearl Farano. Pearl was famous for her 1955 song, "I'm Not Ashamed (Ugly Woman)". What made her special was that she sang the main vocals and played the guitar. This was quite unusual for a woman at that time.
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Pearl Reaves' Early Life and Music Career
Pearl Reaves was born and grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 1949, she moved to Rahway, New Jersey. She lived there with her sister, who worked as a teacher.
A place called The Palace Blue Room in Rahway held weekly talent shows. Pearl entered these contests and won five weeks in a row! The owner, Paul Farano, was very impressed. He hired her to be the main singer for his band, the Paul Farano Trio. Paul, who was a drummer, also taught Pearl how to play the guitar, piano, and organ. Within two years, Pearl and Paul got married.
Touring and Performing
The Palace Blue Room closed in 1951. After that, Pearl and her band traveled all along the East Coast. They played jazz and rock and roll music. They performed at famous places like the Stork Club in New York City. They also played at the Peppermint Lounge in Boston and many other venues.
The band's members changed often over the years. Many talented musicians played with Pearl. One of them was Lonnie Youngblood, who later became a well-known saxophonist. He once said that Pearl's shows were "exciting." She played guitar, sang, and was a great performer.
Recording Music with Harlem Records
In 1955, a music producer named Morty Shad saw Pearl perform. He signed her to record a single song for Harlem Records. A "single" usually means a record with two songs. Pearl recorded "You Can't Stay Here (Step It Up And Go)," which was a rock and roll song. The other song was "I'm Not Ashamed (Ugly Woman)," a blues song. In this song, the singer admits she might not be pretty. But she suggests that her other good qualities make up for it.
A group called the Concords sang backup vocals for Pearl. Both songs became popular in the New York area. They also received good reviews in Billboard magazine.
Starting Her Own Record Label
In the 1960s, Pearl and her husband, Paul, moved to Boston. They lived there for the rest of their lives. The couple decided to start their own record company. They named it Pearlsfar. For the next 20 years, they released several singles. These songs were by "Pearl Reaves and the Farano Trio." They also continued to perform live in local nightclubs.
Later, Paul changed the trio's name to Father Time and the Tic Tocs. Pearl also recorded a song with another group called Tracy and the Tracynettes. Pearl and Paul worked together to write and publish at least six songs.
Later Life and Legacy
In the 1980s, Pearl Reaves stopped performing music. She became a preacher instead. In 1982, she recorded one last single. It included a gospel song called "Use Me, Lord" and a gospel-funk song called "Who's Your Boss."
In 1985, a blues and R&B magazine featured a three-page article about her. At that time, she was preaching at a church in Boston. Pearl Reaves passed away in Boston in 2000.
Even though Pearl recorded only a few singles, her music covered many styles. She sang R&B, rock and roll, soul, funk, and gospel. Her songs are now very valuable to music collectors. Her recordings are also featured on many music collections. These include albums like Rhythm & Blues Goes Rock & Roll and Stompin' 20. She is also on Tough Mamas, a collection of blues and R&B songs by female singers.
Pearl Reaves' Singles
- Pearl Reaves and the Concords, "You Can't Stay Here"/"I'm Not Ashamed", Harlem, 1955
- Pearl Reaves with Paul Farano Trio, "He's Gone"/"Guitfiddle", Pearlsfar, 1958
- Pearl Reaves with Paul Farano Trio, "I Want You To Love Me"/"Forty Long Years", Pearlsfar, 1958
- Pearl Reaves with Paul Farano Trio, "High Noon"/"King Kong Sweet", Pearlsfar
- Pearl Reaves with Paul Farano Trio, "Something"/"Come On", Pearlsfar
- Sweet Daddy Siki/Pearl Reaves with Paul Farano Trio, "Rock & Roll Shimmy Shimmy Partner"/"Mama Give Me Your Permission", Pearlsfar, 1962
- Pearl Reaves & the Tracynettes, "How Can I Tell"/"Change Me", Pearlsfar, 1966
- Pearl Reeves with Father Time and the Tic Tocs, "Cool with a Groove"/"Same Old Love", Pearlsfar, 1972
- Pearl Farano and the High Lites of Joy, "Use Me Lord"/"Who's Your Boss", Pearlsfar, 1982
Songs Pearl Reaves Published
- "I Created You" (1956)
- "Aching Heart" (1959)
- "Never Thought" (1959)
- "Poison Ivory" (1962)
- "Don't Let My Love Be in Vain" (1969)
- "Three Little Words" (1969)
