Current:Home > InvestMarlena Shaw, ‘California Soul’ singer, dead at 81-LoTradeCoin
Marlena Shaw, ‘California Soul’ singer, dead at 81
View Date:2024-12-24 00:04:03
Marlena Shaw, the jazz and R&B vocalist whose “California Soul” was one of the defining soul songs of the late 1960s, has died. She was 81.
Shaw’s daughter, Marla Bradshaw, announced the singer’s death Friday in a video posted on Facebook. A cause of death was not given.
“It’s with a very heavy heart for myself and my family I announce that our beloved mother, your beloved icon and artist Marlena Shaw has passed away today at 12:03,” Bradshaw said in the video. “She went very peacefully, and she went listening to some of her favorite songs.”
Shaw, a charismatic and wide-ranging vocalist, was best known for 1969’s “California Soul,” which has endured as a widely popular and often sampled song. Gang Starr, Stereo MC and Diplo (who remixed it) are just a handful of the artists who have sampled it.
“California Soul” was written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, the Motown songwriting duo behind hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing.” Ashford first released his own version of the song in 1968, but Shaw recorded her rendition on her 1969 album “The Spice of Life.”
The 5th Dimension and Marvin Gaye also recorded “California Soul,” yet Shaw’s version became the standard. It was one of two hits that came from “The Spice of Life.” The other was “Woman of the Ghetto,” which Shaw co-authored and which likewise has been widely sampled.
Born Marlina Burgess in New Rochelle, New York, on Sept. 22, 1942, Shaw performed in jazz clubs before signing with Chess Records in the late ‘60s. She released her first two albums on Chess’ Cadet label before leaving for Blue Note in 1972.
Shaw, who had five children, toured for more than 50 years and put out 17 albums across eight different labels.
In a statement, Verve records remembered Shaw.
“We are saddened by the passing of Marlena Shaw, a wonderful singer whose ‘California Soul’ is as popular today as it ever was and whose album ‘It Is Love: Recorded Live At Vine St.’ helped relaunch the Verve label in 1987.”
veryGood! (54273)
Related
- Rita Ora Says Liam Payne “Left Such a Mark on This World” in Emotional Tribute
- 4 wounded at Brooklyn train station when officers shoot man wielding knife
- Dance Mom's Abby Lee Miller Makes Surprising Appearance at 2024 Emmys
- Man pleads no contest in 2019 sword deaths of father, stepmother in Pennsylvania home
- Wind-whipped wildfire near Reno prompts evacuations but rain begins falling as crews arrive
- Who plays on Sunday Night Football? Breaking down Week 2 matchup
- Man charged with killing 4 university students in Idaho is jailed in Boise after his trial is moved
- Which candidate is better for tech innovation? Venture capitalists divided on Harris or Trump
- Appeals Court Affirms Conviction of Everglades Scientist Accused of Stealing ‘Trade Secrets’
- Privacy audit: Check permissions, lock your phone and keep snoops out
Ranking
- Burt Bacharach, composer of classic songs, will have papers donated to Library of Congress
- The Bachelorette's Katie Thurston Engaged to Comedian Jeff Arcuri
- Mike Lindell's company MyPillow sued by DHL over $800,000 in allegedly unpaid bills
- Taylor Swift Is the Captain of Travis Kelce's Cheer Squad at Chiefs Game
- Glen Powell responds to rumor that he could replace Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible'
- Winning numbers for Mega Millions drawing on September 13; jackpot reset to $20 million
- 2024 Emmys: Jane Lynch Predicts What Glee Would Look Like Today
- Jennifer Aniston's No A--hole Policy Proves She Every Actor's Dream Friend
Recommendation
-
Young Black and Latino men say they chose Trump because of the economy and jobs. Here’s how and why
-
'The Life of Chuck' wins Toronto Film Festival audience award. Is Oscar next?
-
Tua Tagovailoa 'has no plans to retire' from NFL after latest concussion, per report
-
Winning numbers for Mega Millions drawing on September 13; jackpot reset to $20 million
-
Businesses at struggling corner where George Floyd was killed sue Minneapolis
-
A.J. Brown injury update: Eagles WR out for 'Monday Night Football' matchup vs. Falcons
-
Hosts Dan Levy and Eugene Levy Are Father-Son Goals on 2024 Emmys Carpet
-
Why Hacks Star Hannah Einbinder's Mom Slammed The Bear After 2024 Emmy Wins