Retta Young
Birth nameHenrietta Young
Also known asRhetta Young
Reeta Young
Henrietta Goodman
BornSouth Carolina, United States of America
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active1960s - 1970s
LabelsAll Platinum
Formerly ofDevotion, Retta Young & the Devotions

Retta Young (born 1949 in South Carolina) is a former American singer best known for her 1975 disco hit "Sending Out An S.O.S." which made the Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Cash Box Top 100 R&B and UK Top 30 charts. She released an album and three singles during the 1970s.

Background

Retta Young was signed to the All Platinum record label which produced hits for herself, The Moments and Sylvia. The relationship with Phonogram in the UK proved fruitful for the label and the artists.[1] She was backed by The Moments during her Platinum Records period.

She did some reception work for the label.[2] It was in 1975 that she found success with a her hit, "Sending Out An S.O.S." which registered on multiple charts in both the US and UK.[3][4][5][6]

She is credited as a composer for the songs "Hey Sad Boy", "Love & Affection", "Set My Heart from Misery" and "Stuck to You Like a Magnet".[7]

Early career

A song "Stuck To You Like a Magnet" was registered for copyright in 1968. Henrietta Young, Bertha Addison, and Madge Quince are the credited composers.[8]

Devotions period

By the early 1970s, Young was a member of the vocal group Devotion.[9][10] The group had started out being called The Superbs and Rhonda Franklin from The Teardrops who in 1964 recorded "Wait For Me" bw "Birdies and Memories" (Gossip TKT-2121) was a member.[11][12] Phillis Harris was also a member.[13] At some stage Rhonda Franklin left and the group eventually recorded "The Dawning of Love" backed with "So Glad You're Home", released on Symbol 8.[14][15]

The song was released a second time by Paul Kyser in 1970 on Colossus C 126 and credited to Devotion.[16] It became a hit and went to no. 49 on the Billboard chart,[17][18] and no. 41 in the Cash Box chart.[19][20] According to Kyser in the Music Executive Paul L. Kyser of Trumpet records Sit Down Documentary by Champagne Filmmaker, Kyser and co. went to Cleveland, Ohio and everything was going well, and the girls were set to appear at the Apollo Theater. Unfortunately, the group's lead singer had a medical issue and went to hospital. After that he got a replacement line up. The Devotion line up then became Retta Young, Bertha and Madge Quince.[21]

It's likely that first Devotions recording featuring Young was "The Saga of Will-E Jones" (1971), which was composed by Kyser and Vetri.[22]

Career (solo)

1970s

Hit single period

"Sending Out An S.O.S." was released on the All Platinum label in 1975[23][24] It was produced by Al Goodman and Harry Ray of The Moments.[25]

On the week of June 14, the record was registering in three sections of the Billboard Disco Action chart. The song was ranked #9 on the Top Audience Response in New York discos. Downstairs Records and Colony Records (both of them New York record stores) ranked the song's retail sales at #1 and #7, respectively.[26] Also on that week it was in the Record World Disco Parade chart, on the Le Cocu, New York list.[27]

The June 28 issue of Billboard noted that Young and fiancé Al Goodman were in London on a promotional visit.[28] While there she performed "Sending Out An S.O.S. on the Top of the Pops show which was broadcast on June 19.[29]

The song would eventually peak at no. 88 on the Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart,[3] no. 74 on the Cash Box Top 100 R&B chart,[4][30][31] and number #28 on the UK Singles Chart.[3] It also made the Disco chart.[32]

Further activities

It was announced in the October 4 issue of Record Mirror & Disc that Young with the other All Platinum acts, The Moments, Shirley & Co. etc. were set to tour the UK with the opening show at the Liverpool Empire on November 9. There were also around nine other engagements including the Hammersmith Odeon, running though to November 20.[33]

In the October 18 issue, Billboard announced that The Rimshots, Chuck Jackson, Shirley and Co., Young were set to perform in Belgium in late November 1975.[34]

In 1975 / 1976, the exploitation film Patty was released. Directed by Robert L. Roberts, it contained music by Al Goodman, featuring The Moments, Chuck Jackson, Retta Young, and The Rimshots. Young's contribution to the film's soundtrack was "Look at Me".[35][36][37] It is loosely based on the kidnapping of Patty Hearst.[38][39][40]

Young and Tommy Keith provided the backing vocals on Chuck Jackson's Needing You Wanting You album that was released in late 1975. Produced by Al Goodman, Harry Ray and Walter Morris, it was released on the All Platinum label.[41][42]

For the week of March 26, 1977, Young's record album was played on Rod McGrew's show at KJLH in Los Angeles.[43]

Her single, "My Man Is on His Way" and "Really, Really" were released in 1978.[44]

Later years

"That's How Some Men Are" from her Young and Restless album was sampled by Chief Kamachi for the 2004 song, "Queen".[45]

"My Man Is on His Way" appears on Soul Jazz Records' compilation album Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82.[44][46][47] The song would also find popularity on the Northern Soul scene.[48][49][50][51]

Young's album Young and Restless was re-released by Expansion Records in 2017 on both vinyl LP and CD. The CD version includes bonus non-album tracks.[52][53]

Personal life

Young was married to Ray, Goodman & Brown member Al Goodman, who died in Hackensack, New Jersey on 26 July 2010.[54] She was initially introduced to Goodman by Paul Kyser.[55]

Discography

Singles
TitleRelease infoYearFormatNotes
"(Sending Out An) S.O.S." / "(Sending Out An) S.O.S." (Instrumental)All Platinum AP 235519757"
"You Beat Me To The Punch" / "Maybe It's The Best Thing"All Platinum AP-2361
"My Man Is On His Way" / "Really, Really"All Platinum AP 23751978[56]
Albums
TitleRelease infoYearFormatNotes
Young And RestlessAll Platinum AP-30171976LP
Young And RestlessExpansion EXLPM 612017
Young And RestlessExpansion EXCDM 61CD[57]

References

  1. ↑ Billboard, January 28, 1978 - Page 69 Licensing Spans World, U.S. Labels
  2. ↑ Record Mirror, August 9, 1975 - 7,6,5,4,3;2,1 7,6,5,4,3;2,1 by David Hancock
  3. 1 2 3 MusicVF.com - Sending Out an S.O.S. By: Retta Young
  4. 1 2 Cash Box, August 16, 1975 - Page 37 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B
  5. ↑ Official Charts - https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/(sending-out-an)-s.o.s_dot_/ OFFICIAL SINGLES CHART RESULTS MATCHING: (SENDING OUT AN) S.O.S.
  6. ↑ James Hamilton's Disco Page - A full list of all Record Mirror UK Disco Chart entries, 1975-1979
  7. ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third Series
    Volume 22, Part 5, Number I, Section I
    Music
    Current and Renewal Registrations
    January–June
    1968,
    By Library of Congress. Copyright Office - Page 1515 NAME INDEX, Young, Henrietta
  8. ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series, Volume 25, Part 5, Number I, Section I - January–June 1968 - Page 626 STUCK TO YOU LIKE A MAGNET
  9. ↑ Soul Source - 'm A New Member, By Guest Paul Kyser February 11, 2009 Guest Paul Kyser Posted February 11, 2009
  10. ↑ Champagne Filmmaker channel -Music Executive PAUL L KYSER OF TRUMPET RECORDS SIT DOWN DOCUMENTARY 19:00
  11. ↑ Shazam - Wait For Me, The Teardrops
  12. ↑ Popsike - The TEARDROPS - Wait For Me rare Philly SOUL '64 Gossip 45 Rhonda Franklin
  13. ↑ Soul Source - 'm A New Member, By Guest Paul Kyser February 11, 2009 Guest Paul Kyser Posted February 11, 2009
  14. ↑ Gripsweat - THE SUPERBS The Dawning Of Love SYMBOL NORTHERN SOUL USA 45
  15. ↑ Soul Source - 'm A New Member, By Guest Paul Kyser February 11, 2009 Guest Paul Kyser Posted February 11, 2009
  16. ↑ Gripsweat - THE SUPERBS The Dawning Of Love SYMBOL NORTHERN SOUL USA 45
  17. ↑ Billboard, October 31, 1970 - Page 42 Soul, Billboard BEST SELLING Soul Singles, Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY, For Week Ending 10/31/70
  18. ↑ Billboard, November 7, 1970 - Page 31 Billboard BEST SELLING Soul Singles, Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY, For Week Ending 11/7/70
  19. ↑ Cash Box, October 24, 1970 - Page 38 Cash Box Top 60 In R & B Locations
  20. ↑ Cash Box, October 31, 1970 - Page 37 Cash Box Top 60 In R & B Locations
  21. ↑ Soul Source - 'm A New Member, By Guest Paul Kyser February 11, 2009 Guest Paul Kyser Posted February 11, 2009
  22. ↑ Discogs - The Devotions (2) – The Saga Of Will-E Jones / Let's Join Our World
  23. ↑ 45Cat - Record Details, Artist: Retta Young, Catalogue: AP 2355
  24. ↑ Disco Charts - Currently Reviewing the week of June 14, 1975!
  25. ↑ Cash Box, April 12, 1975 - Page 16 cash box / news, Lenier, Landon Ink Platinum Pact
  26. ↑ Billboard, June 14, 1975 - Page 26 Disco Action By TOM MOULTON
  27. ↑ Record World, June 14, 1975 - Page 22 Discotheque Hit Parade
  28. ↑ Billboard, June 28, 1975 - Page 68 International, From The Music Capitals Of The World, LONDON
  29. ↑ Top of the Pops Archive - Retta Young, Artist Appearances, Episode 19/06/1975, Performance Sending Out An S.o.s.
  30. ↑ Cash Box, August 23, 1975 - Page 34 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B
  31. ↑ Cash Box, August 30, 1975 - Page 19 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B
  32. ↑ Disco Charts - DISCO CHART DEBUT For Week Ending May 31, 1975
  33. ↑ Record Mirror & Disc, October 4, 1975 - Page 3 ALL PLATINUM TOUR
  34. ↑ Billboard, October 18, 1975 - Page 52 International, From The Music Capitols Of The World, BRUSSELS * Continued from page 51
  35. ↑ Internet Archive - Patty (The Original Soundtrack Recording) by Various Artists; The Moments; Chuck Jackson; Retta Young; The Rimshots
  36. ↑ Turner Classic Movies - PATTY, CREDITS
  37. ↑ Cash Box, March 27, 1976 - Page 116 cash box R&B news report, r&b ingredients
  38. ↑ Temple of Shlock, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 - The Endangered List (Case File #140) -- Found!
  39. ↑ British Film Institute - Patty (1976)
  40. ↑ Metro Silicon Valley, April 11–17, 2002 - Turning Symbionese, Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart in film and music By Richard von Busack
  41. ↑ Amazon - Needing You Wanting You, LP, Chuck Jackson (Artist) Format: Vinyl
  42. ↑ Cash Box, February 7, 1976 - Page 26 cash box R&B news report, r&b ingredients
  43. ↑ Cash Box, March 26, 1977 - Page 42 ADDITIONS TO R&B PLAYLISTS
  44. 1 2 45Cat - Retta Young - Discography
  45. ↑ Who Sampled - That's How Some Men Are by Retta Young
  46. ↑ The Quietus, December 17th, 2014 - Reviews, Various Artists, A Fine Selection Of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82 - Neil Kulkarni
  47. ↑ Fact Mag, Oct 14 2014 - Soul Jazz prep new disco compilation featuring Retta Young, John Morales and more
  48. ↑ Soul Sides, March 7, 2006 - PROTO DISCO
  49. ↑ Rate Your Music - Simply Northern Soul, Track listing
  50. ↑ amazon - Northern Soul: Keeping The Faith / Various
  51. ↑ AllMusic - Ultimate Northern Soul: The Classics Various Artists
  52. ↑ AllMusic - Retta Young, Young and Restless, Releases
  53. ↑ Soul Brother Records, May 5, 2017 - New releases and pre-orders | 5 May 2017, New Releases
  54. ↑ The Independent, Wednesday 20 October 2010 - Al Goodman: Soul singer who had UK Top Ten hits in the 1970s and 1980s - Pierre Perrone
  55. ↑ Createspace - Retta Young And The Devotions (Digitally Remastered)
  56. ↑ 45Cat - Retta Young - Discography
  57. ↑ Discogs - Retta Young* – Young And Restless
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