Gwendolyn Dianne Brooks (January 3, 1939 – April 29, 2005), was an American soul, r&b and jazz singer.
As a vocalist, she provided backing vocals on albums by a multitude of artists that include Anne Murray, Gino Vannelli and Richie Havens.
Taking note of Dianne's talent, her mother eventually sent her to New York City to study voice.
[5] Commenting on Brooks, Emmylou Harris once said “I know I'm a valid singer, but when I hear Dianne I feel like handing in my contract.”.
[7] In the late 1950s, she was involved in the following recordings, The Three Playmates was made up of sisters Lucille and Alma Beatty and Gwen Brooks (Dianne).
The song "Sugah Wooga" which she co-wrote with Ozzie Cadena managed to get to # 89 on the Billboard Pop Top 100.
The Silhouettes had backed Eric Mercury on his single, "I Wondered Why" / "Softly", released on Clip 1122 in 1966.
[16][17] With the Soul Searchers Also in 1966, Brooks and Kennedy left the group to form The Soul Searchers with Eric Mercury, guitarist Terry Logan, organist William "Smitty" Smith and drummer Eric "Mouse" Johnson.
[18] According to Michel Ruppli's book on the Verve discography, a recording session took place in New York on November 17 of that year.
[20][21] In May and June 1967 the group appeared in New York at The Scene club with The Free Spirits and Tiny Tim.
[22][23] At some stage Brooks had left the band after falling in love with a hairdresser, leaving Mercury to be the front man.
But with the studio having been built and ready for business later in August 1969, they recorded some demos with Brooks in the meantime.
[28] Revolution's Mort Ross had travelled to New York to set up the distribution deal with Charles' label for the current record, which also involved any future releases from Brooks.
[32][33] In late September 1969, her second single with Revolution, "Show Him (He's Not Alone)" which was written by Doug Riley was released on Revolver REVS 003.
[34] She also had written a song "Memories of a Broken Promise" which Motherlode had recorded and released as the follow-up to their hit "When I Die".
[8] Her other activities during 1969 until the end of the year involved performing with Doug Riley at Friar's Cub and then appearing at the Savarin Tavern with Rob McConnell's Boss Brass.
[38] Along with Emmylou Harris and Anne Murray, she provided backing vocals to Canadian folk singer Bob Carpenter's album, Silent Passage which was released in 1975.
[43] Sharing background vocal duties with Patti Brooks and Brenda Russell, she was one of the hand picked singers to sing on Dusty Springfield's tenth studio album It Begins Again which was released in 1978.
[44] According to the Cash Box article dated April 18, 1981, her single was one of the new releases the Town House record label which was formed by Las Vegas-based real estate developer William Levitt.
[46][47] On October 1, 1996, the Toronto Blues Society announced that she was to share the stage in November that year with artists that included Blues Talent Search winner Robin Banks, rock diva Lee Aaron, Chris Armstrong, Juno nominee Georgette Fry, Melanie Jean, Andrea Koziol, and Jani Lauzon.
[48] Brooks died in Toronto on April 29, 2005, at age 66, from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Musicians playing on the album included Don Grusin and Jack Lee on keyboards and piano, Doug Riley on piano, Al Ciner, Chris Corrigan and Rob Walsh on guitar, Paul Stallworth on bass.
The songs on the album were, "Trying to Get to You", "Give Me One More Chance", "I'm Carrying", "Can't Get Enough of You", "All I Need is You", "Out Love is Here to Stay", "Venice Breeze" and "But Not for Me".