Dee Dee was a major-label recording artist in the late ’60s and early ’70s, but her solo career never took off.Ironically, she recorded the original versions of two songs that later became huge hits for other stars – “You’re No Good” (a smash for Linda Ronstadt) and “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” (a No. 2 hit when recorded by the Supremes and the Temptations).
Ms. Warwick was also a busy background vocalist during the 1960s, appearing on records by Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, the Drifters and others. She got her start in a gospel group, the Gospelaires, along with Dionne.
To hear Dee Dee’s 1963 version of “You’re No Good,” click here.
Thanks. I had never heard of her. Sorry to hear she died in a nursing home. Hope she had strong support while there.
ReplyDeleteIt always comes in threes. Hopefully, we'll have no obits from you for a while.
ReplyDeleteSad, 63 is young to die in a nursing home.
Yeah. Seriously, why was she on a Nursing Home? At 63? And having Dionne as a sister? This calls for a UBM investigative report.
ReplyDeleteIt always comes in threes.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I told my sister that Rudy Ray Moore died. She said: "That makes three." I asked who was the third and she said "Dee Dee Warwick". (She'd included Levi Stubbs.)
R.I.P. Ms. Warwick.
For someone like me who was born in Jamaica and came of age in Brooklyn (in the late 60's-early 70's) loving both Reggae and Soul, Dee Dee makes four.
ReplyDeleteAlton Ellis, one of the seminal singers and songwriters in Jamaican music also died, last weekend in England. His songs helped move Ska to Rock Steady and Rock Steady to Reggae.
When the Wailers started recording, one of the groups they looked to emulate was Alton Ellis and the Flames. Alton was also from the Trenchtown neighborhood in Kingston.
His influence on the music cannot be overstated.
dm wrecks: I can't find any details regarding Dee Dee's failing health.
ReplyDeleteBut on Dionne Warwick's 2008 album of inspirational songs -- "Why We Sing" -- Dee Dee sings a duet with Dionne on the title track.
Click here to stream "Why We Sing" on my Vox blog.
Couldn't find anything even remotely concrete....just a whisper of a rumor.
ReplyDeleteHowever, outside of SDF, here's one of the better stories I've read about her over the past few days.
Dee Dee Article
Wow, what a great version of the song. It's now my favorite.
ReplyDeleteDee and Dionne...probably not unlike Aretha and her sister, who were very close and sang together on the early hits, or Mary and her sister, who sing together as well. Interesting little pattern there....