Melba Moore to receive SoulTracks Lifetime Achievement Award

Legendary singer, actress and stage performer Melba Moore will be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards, to be broadcast on Monday, December 9, 2013.

One of the most talented and versatile performers of the last 50 years, Melba has carved an impressive legacy on Broadway, television and radio. A unique combination of beauty and talent, Moore began her career as a backing vocalist for such artists and Ashford & Simpson, Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick.  Her big break came when she was offered a leading role in the Broadway production of the musical Hair.  She was superb in the role, and opened the door for a generation of African American females on Broadway.  Her performance in Hair resulted in other prime roles, including leads in Purlie (for which she won a Tony Award), Les Miserables, and Your Arm's Too Short to Box With God.

Her national star began to rise in the 70s, as she arrived on CBS with the Summer replacement series The Melba Moore Show.  She also became a successful recording artist, scoring a top 5 hit with her first release, "I Am His Lady."  As the late 70s arrived, Moore capitalized on the burgeoning disco market, landing a big hit with a cover of the Bee Gees' "You Stepped Into My Life" as well as McFadden & Whitehead's "Standing Right Here."

In the early 80s, Moore continued to work with McFadden, but moved to a more sophisticated, adult sound on her recordings, landing her first #1, the great cut "Falling," along with the hit "Read My Lips" and the smash duet with Freddie Jackson, "A Little Bit More." 

Melba Moore has continued recording and performing live ever since, and she won a SoulTracks Readers' Choice Award in 2009 for her album of duets with Phil Perry. She is a true legend, and will be an honor to present her with the SoulTracks Award in December.

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