Ruby Turner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruby Turner
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Turner performing live at GuilFest in 2012
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| Background information | |
| Born | 22 June 1958 Montego Bay, Jamaica |
| Origin | Birmingham, England, United Kingdom |
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| Occupations |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1983–present |
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Francella Ruby Turner MBE (born June 22, 1958) is a talented British Jamaican singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her R&B and soul music.
Ruby has been making music for over 40 years! She is famous for her albums and songs released in Europe and North America. She also sings backing vocals for many other artists. These include Bryan Ferry, UB40, Steel Pulse, Steve Winwood, Jools Holland, and Mick Jagger. She has also written songs for other singers like Lulu and Maxi Priest.
In 1990, Ruby achieved something special for a British singer. Her song "It's Gonna Be Alright" reached No. 1 on the US R&B music chart. Between 1986 and 1995, eight of her songs were in the UK Singles Chart. Her most successful song was "I'd Rather Go Blind", which reached No. 24 in 1987. Ruby often performs on BBC Television's Jools' Annual Hootenanny and tours with Jools Holland and his band. She has also acted in plays, movies, and TV shows.
Contents
Ruby's Life Story
Her Early Years
Ruby Turner was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica. When she was nine years old, in 1967, her family moved to Handsworth, Birmingham, England.
Music was a big part of Ruby's family. Her grandfather was the lead singer in a gospel group in Jamaica. In the early 1980s, Ruby worked with the popular band Culture Club. Soon after, she was offered a chance to record her own music. She signed with Jive Records.
Her Music Career
Ruby got her first solo music deal after singing backing vocals for Culture Club's album From Luxury to Heartache. She released four albums and a "Best of" collection. Her first solo album, Women Hold Up Half the Sky, came out in 1986. It was very popular and included hit songs like "If You're Ready (Come Go with Me)" (a duet with Jonathan Butler) and "I'd Rather Go Blind".
In 1987, Ruby sang on the charity song "Let It Be" for Ferry Aid. She also released an album called The Motown Songbook. On this album, she sang with famous Motown groups like the Four Tops and the Temptations.
In February 1990, Ruby's song "It's Gonna Be Alright" became a No. 1 hit on the US R&B chart. This was a big achievement for a British artist! Other songs like "Paradise" and "It's a Crying Shame" also did well on the US R&B charts in the early 1990s.
In 1998, she recorded the album Call Me by My Name with other British rhythm and blues musicians. On New Year's Eve 1999, Ruby sang the National Anthem for Queen Elizabeth II at the opening of the Millennium Dome in London.
Ruby sang backing vocals on Mick Jagger's album Goddess in the Doorway in 2001. She also sang on Jools Holland's album Jools Holland's Big Band Rhythm & Blues in 2002. In 2007, Ruby hosted a radio show about the singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe for BBC Radio 2. She released her first gospel music album, I'm Travelling On, in 2009.
On October 28, 2009, Ruby received a special BASCA Gold Badge Award for her amazing work in music.
Ruby performed with Jools Holland at the Diamond Jubilee Concert in London in 2012. This concert celebrated Queen Elizabeth II's 60 years on the throne. In 2022, she also performed at the Platinum Party at the Palace concert for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Ruby was given an MBE award in 2016 for her contributions to music.
Her Acting Roles
Besides singing, Ruby is also an actress! She has appeared in plays like A Streetcar Named Desire, Carmen Jones, and Fame. She was also in the London West End show Simply Heavenly, which was nominated for an award.
Ruby has been in several movies, including Love Actually (2003) and Famous Fred (1996). In 2006, she played Sheriff Judy in the TV show Little Britain Abroad. She also appeared as herself in the BBC One soap opera Doctors in 2007. In 2009, she was in the BBC drama Hotel Babylon.
In 2011, Ruby narrated a BBC Four documentary called Reggae Britannia, which told the story of British reggae music. She has also been a judge on TV shows like The Choir: Sing While You Work (2012) and Songs of Praise (2013). In 2015, it was announced she would be in the TV movie The Land of Sometimes.
Ruby's Personal Life
Ruby has been engaged twice but has never married. She has said that marriage is not a priority for her. She feels that she doesn't need to have a man in her life to be happy.
Her parents are separated. Her father lives in the US, and her mother, Violetta, lives close to Ruby. Violetta even sang on Ruby's 2009 album I'm Travelling On.
Images for kids
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Turner performing live at GuilFest in 2012
