Retta Young facts for kids

Retta Young (born in 1949) is an American singer. She is best known for her 1975 disco hit song, "Sending Out An S.O.S." This song was very popular in both the United States and the United Kingdom. During the 1970s, she released one album and three singles.

About Retta Young's Music Career

Retta Young signed with the All Platinum record label. This label also helped other artists like The Moments and Sylvia become famous. Working with a company called Phonogram in the UK helped her music reach many people.

During her time with All Platinum Records, the group The Moments often sang backup for her. Retta also worked at the record label's front desk. In 1975, she became very successful with her song "Sending Out An S.O.S." This song was a hit on many music charts in the US and UK.

Retta Young also helped write several songs. These include "Hey Sad Boy," "Love & Affection," "Set My Heart from Misery," and "Stuck to You Like a Magnet."

Early Songs and Writing

One of the first songs Retta Young helped write was "Stuck To You Like a Magnet." It was officially registered in 1968. Henrietta Young, Bertha Addison, and Madge Quince are all listed as writers for this song.

Singing with the Devotion Group

In the early 1970s, Retta Young joined a singing group called Devotion. This group was first known as The Superbs. Rhonda Franklin and Phillis Harris were also members. Rhonda Franklin later left the group.

Devotion then recorded a song called "The Dawning of Love." It was released with "So Glad You're Home" on Symbol Records. The song was released again in 1970 by Paul Kyser and became a hit. It reached number 49 on the Billboard chart.

The group was supposed to perform at the famous Apollo Theater. However, their lead singer had to go to the hospital. After this, the group's lineup changed. Retta Young, Bertha, and Madge Quince became the new members of Devotion. It is believed that Retta Young's first recording with Devotion was "The Saga of Will-E Jones" in 1971.

Retta Young's Solo Career

Her Hit Song in the 1970s

Retta Young's famous song "Sending Out An S.O.S." came out in 1975. It was released on the All Platinum label. Al Goodman and Harry Ray from The Moments helped produce the song.

In June 1975, the song was very popular in discos in New York. It was also a top seller in record stores there. Retta Young and her fiancé, Al Goodman, visited London to promote the song. She performed "Sending Out An S.O.S." on the TV show Top of the Pops on June 19.

The song became a big success. It reached number 88 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart. It also hit number 74 on the Cash Box Top 100 R&B chart. In the UK, it reached number 28 on the UK Singles Chart.

Other Activities and Music

In late 1975, Retta Young toured the UK with other All Platinum artists. These included The Moments and Shirley & Co.. They performed in many cities, including Liverpool and London. She also performed in Belgium in November 1975.

Retta Young's song "Look at Me" was featured in a 1975 film called Patty. The film's music was produced by Al Goodman. Retta Young also sang backup vocals on Chuck Jackson's album Needing You Wanting You, released in late 1975.

In 1977, Retta Young's album was played on a radio show in Los Angeles. Her singles "My Man Is on His Way" and "Really, Really" were released in 1978.

Later Years and Music Legacy

In 2004, the song "That's How Some Men Are" from Retta Young's album Young and Restless was used by the artist Chief Kamachi in his song "Queen."

Her song "My Man Is on His Way" was included on a compilation album called Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82. This song also became popular in the Northern Soul music scene.

In 2017, Retta Young's album Young and Restless was re-released by Expansion Records. It was available on both vinyl records and CDs. The CD version included extra songs that were not on the original album.

Retta Young's Personal Life

Retta Young was married to Al Goodman. He was a member of the group Ray, Goodman & Brown. Al Goodman passed away in Hackensack, New Jersey, on July 26, 2010. Paul Kyser first introduced Retta to Al Goodman.

Retta Young's Music Releases

Singles

Albums