Darlene Love | |
Number of songs: 2 | Total weeks on charts: 41
Appearing in a total number of: 6 charts | Total period running: 1486 days
Appearing in a total number of: 6 charts | Total period running: 1486 days
Songs by Darlene Love
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Biography
Darlene Love (Darlene Wright; born July 26, 1938) is an American popular music singer and actress. She gained prominence in the 1960s for the song "He's a Rebel," a No. 1 American single in 1962, and was one of the Phil Spector artists who produced a celebrated Christmas album in 1963. She is included among Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers.
Darlene Love grew up in a community that was almost numb to the racial divide, at least in her family. Her father always told her to shoot for the stars and have your voice be as loud as possible. Darlene reflects on her childhood: "we didn't know we were poor"; she adds, "if we didn't know we were poor, we didn't ‘know' we were black either."
As a minister's daughter, she grew up listening to gospel music and was a dedicated member of her church in San Antonio, Texas. She began singing in her church choir at age ten. During choir practice she caught the attention of choir director Cora Martin. After singing for Martin she was asked to go to the Music Mart where she sang and did some broadcasts; Love's career began there. As it was her first musical experience, it was also the main influence for her to pursue a music career. Those who knew her described her vocals as "a voice of a nightingale." She claimed, "(singing in) the choir was a big influence on my life. I call it my learning ground. Singing in the choir, I learned harmony."
She appears in the documentary film 20 Feet from Stardom (2013), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and went on to win the Academy Award for best documentary. As an actress, she is perhaps best remembered for playing officer Roger Murtaugh's (Danny Glover) wife in the Lethal Weapon film series.
Discography:
1963 - Various Artists Today's Hits (Philles Records #4004) 1963 - Various Artists A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector (Philles Records #4005)
1977 - Various Artists Phil Spector's Greatest Hits (Warner/Spector Records #9104)
1978 - Various Artists Lakeshore Music presents Rock and Roll Forever (Warner Special Products #2508) (same as above release)
1985 - Leader of the Pack Original Broadway Cast (Elektra Records #60420)
1985 - Darlene Love Live! (Rhino Records RNLP #855)
1988 - Paint Another Picture (Columbia Records #40605)
1990 - Various Artists Dick Tracy: Music from and inspired by the film (Sire/Reprise Records #26236)
1991 - Various Artists Back to Mono (1958–1969) (ABKCO Records #7118) (box set)
1992 - Various Artists A Very Special Christmas 2 (A&M Records #450003)
1992 - The Best of Darlene Love (The Philles Recordings) (ABKCO Records #7213)
1992 - Bringing It Home (with Lani Groves) (Shanachie Records #9003)
1998 - Various Artists Grease Is the Word (Rhino Records)
1998 - Unconditional Love (Harmony Records)
2007 - It's Christmas of Course (Shout! Factory Records #10569)
2008 - So Much Love: A Darlene Love Anthology 1958-1998 (Ace CDCHD 1169)
2011 - The Sound Of Love: The Very Best Of Darlene Love Audio CD
2011 - The Sound Of Love: The Very Best Of Darlene Love Blu-spec CD (Released in November 2, 2011)
2015 - Introducing Darlene Love (Wicked Cool Records)
Sources: Wikipedia, Top40-Charts.com Editorial team
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