McCrae, Gwen (21st December 1943-Present)

She is a singer born Gwen Mosley in Pensacola, Florida. Her musical life started when she sang in her church and later, as a teenager, performed as a solo singer and with local bands.

Appearing in many of her local clubs she could be heard with The Independents and The Lafayettes and when she was 20 she married the singer, then sailor, George McCrae after just a week of knowing him. They began to sing as a duo called George & Gwen and after successfully gaining a contract with Alston records after being spotted by Betty Wright in 1967, they released several singles such as “Like Yesterday Our Love Is Gone” where they worked with Clarence Reid and Willie Clarke. She was also given a solo recording contract with TK Records, where her husband managed her, and in 1970 she saw success with her singles “Lead Me On” which was quickly followed by “For Your Love” as well as being heard as a session singer for Betty Wright among others.

In 1975 she had her biggest hit with “Rockin’ Chair” which hit No. 1 in the R&B chart and entered the US Top 10, but at the same time, the success of her own career and her husband’s, who by this time was also a major solo artist, put a huge strain on their marriage and they would soon divorce.

TK Records closed down and Atlantic Records signed her entailing her moving away from Florida to New Jersey for a couple of years. She maintained her successful career and in 1981 had a further solo hit with “Funky Sensation” and frequently toured the United States and Europe.

Her voice was sampled for “Feeling For You” by Cassius in 1999, seeing her presence back in the UK charts, has appeared with the Miami All-Stars, and in 2004 she released the gospel album “I’m Not Worried”.

Her many album recordings include Together with George McCrae, Incredible Sound of Trevor Nelson by Trevor Nelson, Straighten It Out by Latimore, Monkey Grip by Bill Wyman and Rockin Chair, On My Way, Something So Right and Psychic Hotline as a solo artist.

George & Gwen McCrae recordings
I’ll Do the Rockin’ (Clarence Reid)
I’m Comin’ At Ya (Clarence Reid)

Sources:

McCrae, Gwen (21st December 1943-Present)

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