Tobi Lark facts for kids

Tobi Lark (born Bessie Grace Gupton in 1941) is a talented singer. She was born in the United States but later became a Canadian citizen. She sings soul and gospel songs. You might also know her by her other names, Bessie Watson and Tobi Legend.

In 1970, Tobi Lark had a big hit song in Canada called "We're All in This Together." It reached the top 40 on the music charts. She is also famous for her song "Time Will Pass You By." This song is a classic in a music style called Northern soul. She recorded it in 1968, thinking it was just a practice recording. However, it was released without her permission under the name Tobi Legend.

Early Life and Music Career

Tobi Lark was born Bessie Grace Gupton in Alabama. Her mother, Emma Washington, was also a gospel singer. Tobi grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She started singing at a young age in her mother's choir, the Emma Washington Gospel Singers.

From the age of nine, Tobi toured with her mother's group for ten years. Her first professional job was singing backup for the famous blues musician B. B. King.

Early Recordings

Tobi Lark began recording music in 1963. She used the name Bessie Watson for her first single, "'Deed I Do." She recorded it with the Cannonball Adderley Quintet. After that, she released two more singles, "I'm in Your Corner" and "Wake Up Crying."

Later, she started using the name Tobi Lark. She recorded several more singles, but they did not become very popular. During this time, she also performed with many other well-known artists. These included the Impressions, the Four Tops, Ben E. King, and Wilson Pickett.

Moving to Canada and Time Will Pass You By

In the mid-1960s, Tobi Lark moved to Montreal, Quebec, Canada, with her young son. She performed in clubs there and at Expo 67, a big world's fair. Later, she moved to Toronto to work with musician Ronnie Hawkins.

She then got a main role in the musical Hair in Toronto. After that, she created her own show called the Armageddon Revue.

The Northern Soul Classic

In 1968, while in Detroit, Tobi Lark recorded "Time Will Pass You By." This song was written by John Rhys Eddins, Nick Zesses, and Dino Fekaris. The song was released by Mala under the name "Tobi Legend." At first, it was not a success.

However, in the early 1970s, the song became very popular in the UK. It was loved by fans of the Northern soul music scene. "Time Will Pass You By" became one of the "Three Before Eight" songs. These were the last three songs played at the end of every all-night dance event at the famous Wigan Casino club. The song has been included on many Northern soul music collections since then.

Later Career and Performances

After the success of "Time Will Pass You By," Tobi Lark returned to using the name Tobi (or Toby) Lark. She released three more singles with Cotillion Records. These were "Shake A Hand" (1969), "Just To Hold My Hand" (1970), and "We're All in This Together" (1970).

Her song "We're All in This Together" was recorded live with a large choir. It reached number 38 on Canada's national RPM singles chart in November 1970. Tobi Lark continued to perform in Toronto, Windsor, and Detroit. She has performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and other singers, including Kenny Rogers. In 1995, she recorded a live CD and performed at the Toronto Blues Society's Women's Blues Revue.