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Angela Clemmons
Biography
There are probably thousands of singers with stories similar to Angela Clemmons. Talented, attractive and with the attributes for stardom, but for whom stardom never really came.
The Connecticut-born Clemmons signed with Columbia Records in 1982 and debuted with a great dance cover of the Chairmen of the Board's "Give Me Just a Little More Time." The song became a hit in the clubs, propelled by Clemmons' bright, Deniece Williams-like voice. Her accompanying eponymous debut album was similarly appealing, featuring a good selection of both upbeat material and ballads that seemed to be the start of a bright career for the young singer.
Clemmons released as a single an excellent cover of Irene Cara's "Out Here On My Own" (a version even better than the original), but her second album did not materialize. In fact, it wasn't until five years later that This Is Love came out on Portrait Records, featuring a remake of Sister Sledge's "BYOB." It came and went without notice, and Clemmons' solo career was done.
Though the masses never became familiar with her voice, other singers knew a good thing when they heard it, and Clemmons, who married and later performed as Angela Clemmons-Patrick, established a solid career as a backing vocalist for such stars as Celine Dion, Cyndi Lauper, Donald Fagan (of Steely Dan), Jewel, Vanessa Williams and George Benson. She also performed in the Elton John/Tim Rice Broadway play Aida.
If you get a chance to hear her past recorded performances, do so.
by Chris Rizik
