Bio



Melba was born in New York on October 29, 1945. After highschool Melba began her career as a teacher. She was a member of a very musical family. She started to sing in a nightclub called the Catskills. At that point she worked with Frank Sinatra, Harry Belafonte, and Johnny Mathis.

She played a small role in the chorus of the Broadway musical "HAIR." In a year and a half she went from "chorus girl" to the leading role of "Sheila." After this role sh played in the musical "PURLIE". She won several awards. Ater her career in the theater she started to do some television and film work.


In 1974 Melba began recording her first album ("Melba") for her new label Buddah Records. Buddah was the label that would put Melba on the musical map. The result was not a commercial success. After the recording in 1975 of the album "Peach Melba," Melba teamed with legendary producer Van McCoy for her next release.

The album "This Is It" was a commercial success in 1976. The big disco hits from that album are "This Is It" and "Playboy Scout". The success of Moore and McCoy led to one more album in late 1976. "Melba" featured another club favorite ("Good Love Makes Everything Alright").

In 1977 Van McCoy was replaced by McFadden & Whitehead as producer duo. The result was the album "A Portrait Of Melba." The highlight of it was, the now classic "Standing Right Here," possibly because of it's remixed 12" single.

In 1978 Melba went on a major tour to promote her "Melba" album. In that year the hits "You Stepped Into My Life" and "Pick Me Up I'll Dance climbed the charts.

1979 the release of the album "Burn" was there. For this album a new producer, Pete Bellote, was signed.

The start of the 80s brought the album "closer" on Epic records.

Once again a label change (Epic out- EMI in) brought the 1981 "What A Woman Needs". On this album Melba worked with Kashif for the first time. The result was her biggest radio hit to date. "Take My Love" scored high in the clubs and marked her "sound" for the next several years. Her next album for Capitol (EMI's parent company), "The Other Side Of The Rainbow" continued her collaboration with Kashif and introduced her to producer Paul Lawrence Jones. This 1982 release spawned the hits: "Underlove," "Mind Up Tonight," and "Love's Comin' At Ya."

In 1983 the release of "Never Say Never" was there. That album featured: "Love Me Right," "Keepin' My Lover Satisfied", "It's Really Love" and "Never Say Never". Again with the producers Paul Laurence and Kashif. Other producers on this album are Rahni P. Harris (.avier. and John Skip Anderson.

1985's release of "Read My Lips" boasted a "tougher" Melba. This album also featured duet of: "When You Love Me Like This" with Lillo Thomas and "I Can't Believe It (it's Over)".

Melba's next release was "Love The One I'm With (A Lot Of Love)", with producer and solo artist Kashif. from the 1986 Album "A lot of love". The results were once again "pure gold"! The album also featured duets with Dennis Collins and Freddie Jackson.

1988's release "I'm In Love" also featured duets with Kashif and Freddie Jackson And marked her "reunion" with producer Gene McFadden.

Her 1990 release "Soul Exposed," although creatively a success was financially a disaster. It garnered no radio or club hits. Perhaps the lack of promotion.

1992 saw Melba in financial ruin, bankruptcy, divorce, and abandonment by friends and family. After going on welfare the only way to go was up. With the spirit of a fighter, Melba slowly healed and began the long process of rebuilding her life and career.

In 1996 she recorded a wonderful album with the LaFayette Harris Jr. Trio entitled "Happy Together." It includes her stunning renditions of "Lady Sings The Blues" and "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning."

By 1998 she was on stage in her one woman show, "Sweet Songs-A Journey In One Life".

And in the new millineum, she toured the country with the hit musical: "Lord Why Do I Keep Choosing The Wrong Man?". A single from her 1999 compact disc, "Solitary Journey" failed to ignite dance floors but was eagerly purchased by faithful fans. The albums "A Very Special Christmas Gift" (2001), "I'm Still Here" (2002), and "A Night In St. Lucia-Live" (2002) were all well received and have garnered her a whole new legion of fans.


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