Edna McGriff (December 16, 1935 – March 25, 1980) was an American rhythm and blues singer and pianist. She recorded mainly in the 1950s, and secured one hit single on the US BillboardR&Bchart with "Heavenly Father" in 1952.[2] The record sold over 500,000 copies.[3]
Edna McGriff
Born
(1935-12-16)December 16, 1935 Tampa, Florida, United States
Died
March 25, 1980(1980-03-25) (aged 44) Queens, New York, United States
Edna McGriff was born in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. She was educated at Washington Irving High School in New York.[2] She released her first single, "Note Droppin' Papa" / "Come Back", on Jubilee Records in September 1951 with Bennie Green's band. Her second recording took place late that same year, when she sang with Buddy Lucas and His Band of Tomorrow on "Heavenly Father" / "I Love You". She was aged 16 at the time. The single was released in early 1952, and sales started to soar. The track entered the US R&B chart in April 1952, peaking at No. 4 in a 13-week stay.[4] Various cover versions of "Heavenly Father" appeared, recorded by Fran Warren, The Four Lads, and also Evelyn Knight.[2]
Her next solo release was "Pray For A Better World" / "In A Chapel by the Side of The Road", followed by "Edna's Blues" / "Why Oh Why" (1953). Several other releases flopped and she moved to Josie Records, who issued "I'll Be Around" / "Ooh, Little Daddy" (1954),[6] and then onto Favorite Records, but without any further chart activity. Bell Records took up her contract, and issued "The Fool" / "Born to Be with You" (1956),[7] and these were followed by many other cover versions, including Laurie London's "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and Huey "Piano" Smith's "Don't You Just Know It", however she had stopped recording with Bell by the time she was 22 years old. In 1958, she recorded a one-off single for Felsted, followed by another one-off for Savoy, this time duetting with longtime friend Buddy Lucas on "No Change" / "Ah-Ah-Ah". Thereafter her career gradually wound down, with a small sprinkle of recordings spread over two record companies – Willow Records in 1961 (a remake of "Heavenly Father"), and Capitol during 1964–1965.
The Connecticut Marriage Index 1959–2001, reveals that at age 23 she married Leroy Minors in Stamford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, on March 7, 1959. The Social Security Death Index records that Edna Minors (née McGriff) died in Queens, New York, on March 25, 1980, aged 44 years. An obituary was printed in the New York Amsterdam News, and it is thought that her death was due to lymphoma.[8]
edna, mcgriff, december, 1935, march, 1980, american, rhythm, blues, singer, pianist, recorded, mainly, 1950s, secured, single, billboard, chart, with, heavenly, father, 1952, record, sold, over, copies, born, 1935, december, 1935tampa, florida, united, states. Edna McGriff December 16 1935 March 25 1980 was an American rhythm and blues singer and pianist She recorded mainly in the 1950s and secured one hit single on the US Billboard R amp B chart with Heavenly Father in 1952 2 The record sold over 500 000 copies 3 Edna McGriffBorn 1935 12 16 December 16 1935Tampa Florida United StatesDiedMarch 25 1980 1980 03 25 aged 44 Queens New York United StatesGenresRhythm and blues 1 Occupation s Singer pianistInstrument s Vocals pianoYears active1950sLabelsVarious including Jubilee Josie Bell and Brunswick Latter day compilation on Bear Family Records Contents 1 Life and career 2 Discography 2 1 Compilation album 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksLife and career editEdna McGriff was born in Tampa Hillsborough County Florida United States She was educated at Washington Irving High School in New York 2 She released her first single Note Droppin Papa Come Back on Jubilee Records in September 1951 with Bennie Green s band Her second recording took place late that same year when she sang with Buddy Lucas and His Band of Tomorrow on Heavenly Father I Love You She was aged 16 at the time The single was released in early 1952 and sales started to soar The track entered the US R amp B chart in April 1952 peaking at No 4 in a 13 week stay 4 Various cover versions of Heavenly Father appeared recorded by Fran Warren The Four Lads and also Evelyn Knight 2 McGriff appeared on stage at the Earle Theater in Philadelphia Various shows followed where she was placed on the bill with Alan Freed Separately in June 1952 McGriff recorded six duets with Sonny Til of The Orioles including I Only Have Eyes for You Once in a While Picadilly and Good 2 5 Her next solo release was Pray For A Better World In A Chapel by the Side of The Road followed by Edna s Blues Why Oh Why 1953 Several other releases flopped and she moved to Josie Records who issued I ll Be Around Ooh Little Daddy 1954 6 and then onto Favorite Records but without any further chart activity Bell Records took up her contract and issued The Fool Born to Be with You 1956 7 and these were followed by many other cover versions including Laurie London s He s Got the Whole World in His Hands and Huey Piano Smith s Don t You Just Know It however she had stopped recording with Bell by the time she was 22 years old In 1958 she recorded a one off single for Felsted followed by another one off for Savoy this time duetting with longtime friend Buddy Lucas on No Change Ah Ah Ah Thereafter her career gradually wound down with a small sprinkle of recordings spread over two record companies Willow Records in 1961 a remake of Heavenly Father and Capitol during 1964 1965 The Connecticut Marriage Index 1959 2001 reveals that at age 23 she married Leroy Minors in Stamford Fairfield County Connecticut on March 7 1959 The Social Security Death Index records that Edna Minors nee McGriff died in Queens New York on March 25 1980 aged 44 years An obituary was printed in the New York Amsterdam News and it is thought that her death was due to lymphoma 8 In August 2012 a compilation album of her recordings was issued by Bear Family Records 9 Discography editCompilation album edit Year Title Record label 2012 Start Movin in My Direction Bear Family Records 9 See also editList of R amp B musiciansReferences edit Edna McGriff AllMusic Retrieved August 27 2012 a b c d Edna McGriff Home earthlink net Retrieved August 27 2012 Jet magazine Ben Burns ed John H Johnson March 26 1953 61 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help Whitburn Joel 1996 Top R amp B Hip Hop Singles 1942 1995 Record Research p 297 Solo Featuring Edna McGriff AllMusic Retrieved August 27 2012 I ll Be Around Ooh Little Daddy Vocalgroupharmony com Retrieved August 27 2012 GGA Bell Records Goodgirlart com Retrieved August 27 2012 Marv Goldberg s R amp B Notebooks EDNA McGRIFF Uncamarvy com Retrieved 30 August 2023 a b Start Movin in My Direction AllMusic Retrieved August 27 2012 External links editDiscogs com discography Heavenly Father by Edna McGriff on YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Edna McGriff amp oldid 1217809936, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
