Scherrie Payne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Scherrie Payne
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Payne in 2024
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Scherrie Ann Payne |
| Born | November 4, 1944 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Labels |
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Scherrie Ann Payne (born November 4, 1944) is an American singer. She is best known for being a member and a lead singer of the famous R&B/Soul group the Supremes. Scherrie was part of The Supremes from 1973 to 1977. She is also the younger sister of singer Freda Payne. Today, Scherrie continues to perform as a solo artist and with the group "Former Ladies of the Supremes" (FLOS).
About Scherrie Payne
Her Early Life
Scherrie Ann Payne was born on November 4, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Central High School in 1961. Later, she earned a science degree from Michigan State University in 1966. Before becoming a singer, she taught at the Grayling School of Observation.
Singing with Glass House
Before joining The Supremes, Scherrie Payne was the lead singer for a group called Glass House. Other members included Ty Hunter, Pearl Jones, and Larry Mitchell. In 1969, the group signed with Invictus Records. This record label was started by famous songwriters Eddie and Brian Holland, and Lamont Dozier.
Glass House had their biggest hit in 1969 with a song called "Crumbs Off the Table." Scherrie sang the lead vocals on this track, and it became very popular. Between 1970 and 1972, Glass House released two albums and several singles. One of these singles, "V.I.P.", featured Scherrie as a solo singer. Even though they had some success, the group broke up in 1972.
Joining The Supremes (1973–1977)
In 1973, Scherrie joined The Supremes. At that time, the group's popularity was changing. The other members were Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong. Scherrie brought strong vocals and energy to the group. She was known for her singing on songs like "He's My Man" and "It's All Been Said Before." These songs were from their 1975 album, The Supremes.
Scherrie helped The Supremes move into the disco music era. They had dance hits like "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking" from the album High Energy. Other disco songs included "You're My Driving Wheel," "Let Yourself Go," and "Love I Never Knew You Could Feel So Good." These songs were popular in dance clubs. "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking" was a big hit on the disco charts.
The Supremes officially ended in 1977 with a farewell concert in London. After The Supremes disbanded, Scherrie and Susaye Greene recorded an album together called Partners in 1979. They released it under the name "Scherrie and Susaye."
Former Ladies of the Supremes
In 1986, Scherrie Payne joined other former Supremes members, Jean Terrell and Cindy Birdsong. They formed a new group called "The Former Ladies Of The Supremes," or FLOS for short. When Cindy left, Lynda Laurence joined the group. They changed their name to "Jean, Scherrie, & Lynda of the Supremes." They traveled all over the world, keeping the Supremes' music alive.
Later, Jean Terrell left, and Lynda's sister Sundray Tucker joined. This group recorded many new songs. In 1996, Freddi Poole joined, replacing Sundray Tucker.
In 2000, Scherrie and Lynda sang backup for Diana Ross on her "Return To Love" Supremes reunion tour. Diana Ross even let them sing lead on some classic Supremes songs. The group celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2006. They then started using the name "Scherrie & Lynda of the Supremes." In 2017, Lynda Laurence left, and Susaye Greene rejoined. The group is now called "Scherrie & Susaye, Formerly of The Supremes."
Solo Music Career
Besides her work with Glass House and The Supremes, Scherrie Payne has also had a solo career. She had club hits like her cover of "I'm Not In Love" in 1982. Two years later, she released "One Night Only," a song from the musical "Dreamgirls". This musical is loosely based on the story of The Supremes.
Scherrie also recorded an album called Incredible. She later signed with British producer Ian Levine for his Motown reunion project, Motorcity Records. For this label, she released solo singles like "Chasing Me Into Somebody Else's Arms" and "Pure Energy." She also covered two of Diana Ross's songs, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "I'm Still Waiting."
Later Career Highlights
In 2001 and 2002, Scherrie performed at the Sunset Junction Street Fair in Los Angeles. In 2007, she was a special guest at a fundraiser in Los Angeles. She sang "One Night Only" from the musical Dreamgirls.
In 2012, Scherrie and producer Rick Gianatos released a new version of the Supremes hit "Let Yourself Go" with a music video. In 2013, she appeared in the music video for the Pattie Brooks single "I Like The Way You Move." In 2014, Scherrie and Susaye Greene performed a concert based on their "Partners" album.
In 2023, Scherrie Payne was honored and added to the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Personal Life
Scherrie Payne has one daughter, Shoshanna Payne-Phillips, who was born in 1985.
Discography
Albums
- With The Glass House
| Title | Album details |
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| Inside the Glass House |
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| Thanks, I Needed That |
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- With The Supremes
| Title | Album details |
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| The Supremes |
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| High Energy |
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| Mary, Scherrie & Susaye |
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- With the Former Ladies of the Supremes
| Title | Album details |
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| Supremely Yours |
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| Supreme Voices |
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- as lead artist
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Bande Originale Du Film "Moi Fleur Bleue" (with Jodie Foster) |
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| Partners (with Susaye Greene) |
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| Incredible |
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| The Best of Driving Wheel Records: Millennium Mixes, Vol. 1 (with Lynda Lawrence and Sundray Tucker) |
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| Vintage Scherrie, Vol. 1 : Remember Who You Are |
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Singles
with The Glass House
| A-side title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Crumbs Off the Table" | 1969 | Inside the Glass House |
| "I Can't Be You (You Can't Be Me)" | 1970 | |
| "Stealing Moments From Another Woman's Life" /"If It Ain't Love, It Don't Matter" |
1970 | Thanks I Needed That /Inside the Glass House |
| "Stealing Moments from Another Woman's Life" | 1971 | Thanks I Needed That |
| "Touch Me Jesus" | 1971 | Inside the Glass House |
| "Look What We've Done to Love" | 1971 | |
| "Playing Games" | 1972 | Thanks I Needed That |
| "Giving Up the Ring" | 1972 | |
| "VIP" | 1972 | |
| "Thanks, I Needed That" | 1972 |
with The Supremes
| A-side title B-side title |
Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "He's My Man" "Give Out, But Don't Give Up" |
1975 | The Supremes |
| "Where Do I Go from Here" "Give Out, But Don't Give Up" |
1975 | |
| "Early Morning Love" 1 "Where Is It I Belong" |
1975 | |
| "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking"2 "Early Morning Love"4 |
1976 | High Energy |
| "High Energy"3 "High Energy" |
1976 | |
| "You're My Driving Wheel" "You're What's Missing in My Life" |
1976 | Mary, Scherrie & Susaye |
| "Let Yourself Go" "You Are the Heart of Me"4 |
1977 | |
| "Love, I Never Knew You Could Feel So Good" "This Is Why I Believe in You"5 |
1977 |
- 1 Both sides feature lead vocals by Mary Wilson.
- 2 Lead vocals by Scherrie Payne and Susaye Greene.
- 3 Lead vocal by Susaye Greene.
- 4 Lead vocal by Mary Wilson.
- 5 Lead vocals by Mary Wilson and Scherrie Payne.
as lead and featured artist
| A-side title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "V.I.P." | 1972 | Thanks I Needed That |
| "Fly" | 1978 | Non album single |
| "I'm Not In Love/Girl, You're In Love" | 1982 | Non album single |
| "One Night Only" | 1984 | Non album single |
| "L.A. Street Scene (It's A Jubilee)" (Donny Osmond featuring Phillip Ingram, Scherrie Payne & Freda Payne) |
1985 | Non album single |
| "On And On" (with Phillip Ingram) |
1986 | Incredible |
| "Chasing Me Into Somebody Else's Arms" | 1986 | Non album single |
| "The Right Stuff" | 1986 | Incredible |
| "Incredible" (with Phillip Ingram) |
1987 | Incredible |
| "Testify" | 1987 | |
| "Pure Energy" | 1989 | Non album single |
| "Back By Popular Demand" (with Jean Terrell & Lynda Laurence - Formerly Of The Supremes Together w/ The Originals) |
1991 | Non album single |
| "... Love" (with Jean Terrell & Lynda Laurence) |
1993 | Non album single |
| "One Night Only 2007" | 2007 | Non album single |
| "Let Yourself Go" | 2012 | Vintage Scherrie, Vol. 1 : Remember Who You Are |
| "Remember Who You Are" | 2016 | |
| "You Are" (with Sam Green) |
2018 | Non album single |
| "Unconditional Love" | 2019 | Non album single |
Collaborations
Scherrie Payne has also lent her voice as a background singer for many other artists. These include her sister Freda Payne and others like James Ingram and Billy Preston.
Songwriting
For over 40 years, Scherrie has also been a songwriter. She wrote a musical called Ten Good Years. A song from it, "Another Life from Now," is on her Partners album.
Some other songs she has written or helped write include:
- "Now Is the Time to Say Goodbye" (for her sister Freda Payne)
- "Storybook Romance"
- "Leaving Me Was the Best Thing You've Ever Done" (with Susaye Greene)
- "Pure Energy"
- "Light the World (With the Flame of Love)" (with FLOS member Lynda Laurence)
- "Crumbs Off the Table"
