The star on Holland-Dozier-Holland’s label Invictus!
Freda Payne was never signed to Motown but the connection is clear.
Holland-Dozier-Holland, the main songwriting team, had moved away from Berry Gordy’s empire and started their own label, Invictus in 1969.
Barred from using their own names by Berry, they had to release under the pseudonym Edyth Wayne, or credit songs to their producers.
On this label, they had one #1 hit, Band Of Gold with, you guessed it, Freda Payne.
If the name rings a bell it’s because Freda’s sister Scherrie sang for The Supremes, after Diana had left between 73-77.
But Freda wasn’t just a singer, she also worked on Broadway, in movies, made TV appearances, and even hosted her own show, entitled Today’s Black Women.
After Band Of Gold and the label Invictus folded, Freda would go on and release albums and singles with other labels but nothing came close to Band Of Gold.
The same destiny unfolded for the legendary songwriting team. Band of Gold was their last big hit.
Freda’s greatest influences were Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and other famous jazz singers. Her foundation was jazz, which she took into the radio-friendly pop/soul world.
She may only have had one big tune in Band Of Gold, but it made her career.
Freda Payne | Related pages
Band Of Gold
| G | G | D/F# |
Now that you’re gone, all that’s left is a band of gold.
| D | C | C |
All that’s left of the dreams I hold, is a band of gold.
Freda Payne on the web
