Vicki Young (26, June 1925 – 5,January 2007) was an
American R&B, rock 'n roll and pop singer and songwriter.
Vicki Young was born Wanda Cleo Stegall on June 26, 1925,
in Vinson, Oklahoma, the first of four talented children born to Loda and
Mintie Stegall. Descended from an early American family dating back to 1736,
the Stegall family had a long history of birthing "Methodist preachers or
musicians." In Vicki's case, her parents were musicians and had one of the
first professionally performing family western style bands, "The
Stegalls."
By the time she was four, little Wanda was singing and
already playing the banjo, ukulele and drums. For seven years, the youngster
and her family band could be heard live over station KASA (AM 1210) in Elk
City, Oklahoma.
In 1942, the Stegall Family moved to San Bernardino,
California, where the band reorganized. Vicki decided to head out on her own in
1948. She joined the Joe Newman Trio, appeared in Los Angeles clubs and for a
brief period was featured on Spade Cooley’s T.V. show. Young was discovered at
The Flamingo in San Bernardino, and in 1953, at age 28, was signed was signed
as an R&B artist by Capitol Records.
During her eight year career at Capitol Records, Young
cut 56 sides, including such titles as "Honey Love," "Pink
Shampoo," "Tweedle Dee," "Ricochet" and "Riot in
Cell Block No. 9." Vicki Young made the best-selling pop charts twice, with
"I Love You So Much" (b/w "Let Me Hear You Say It," Capitol
2478) which charted in June 1953, and her cover of The Drifters' R&B tune
"Honey Love" (b/w a cover of The Robins' R&B tune "Riot In
Cell Block No. 9," Capitol 2865) in October 1954.
After Capitol, Vicki was one of the first artists under
the Brunswick label in the mid 50’s, along with the Lennon Sisters; her first
release for Brunswick was "The Cheer Leader Flip" and "Pen and
Paper Sweetheart."
Vicki Young also wrote songs, and "Let There Be
You," penned with arranger/band leader Dave Cavanaugh, remained one of her
personal favourites, written just two weeks after the tragic death of her first
son, Gary Phillip Truckee (age 6) to polio. The heart wrenching lyrics were
based on the first verse of the Bible and the song went on to be covered by The
Five Keys (Capitol 3660) and remains in circulation today.
Young was married four times, her second husband being
world renowned drummer and "Rock and Roll Hall of Famer" Hal Blaine.
Vicki had three sons, two by her first husband and one by
her third. Tragically, she lost a second son, Terrence Allen Sheehan, at
Christmas time when he was struck by a car. Consumed by grief, Ms. Young left
the music business in the late 50’s although she retained her love of music.
During her career, Young toured extensively, performed
regularly for the military and was well known for her tireless enthusiasm,
vivacious personality and was regarded as one of the finest entertainers of her
time. She and her family leave a tremendous musical legacy behind, which
continues with her niece, singer/songwriter Casey (Stegall) Stark, of Laguna
Niguel, California, and distant cousin, award-winning
producer/singer-songwriter Keith Stegall, of Nashville, Tennessee.
Vicki Young died of complications from infection at La
Mirada Kindred Hospital, California on January 5, 2007 aged 81. (Info edited from original article by Casey
Stegall)
N.B. There is very scant information regarding Vicki
Young, who remains virtually unknown to most music lovers. Hopefully my little
blog post will highlight this under-rated singer who hasn’t even got a mention
in Wikipedia!.
4 comments:
For “Vicki Young – Tweedle Dee” go here:
http://www39.zippyshare.com/v/9yusS9yr/file.html
01 I’m Wonderin
02 I Love You So Much
03 Ricochet (1953)
04 Pink Shampoo
05 When You Love A fella
06 Somebody Else Is Taking My Place
07 Honry Love
08 Riot In Cell Block Number Nine
09 You Cant Be Mine Anymore
10 Tweedlee Dee.mp3
11 Tears On My Pillow.mp3
12 Zoom Zoom Zoom
13 Im Begininng To See The Light
14 It Makes No Difference Now.
15 Steel Guitar
16 Bye Bye For Just A While.
17 Let There Be You
18 Spanish Main
19 The Cheerleader Flip.
20 Forbidden Fruit.mp3
Here’s a gem! The only compilation album (that I know) of Vicki Young. As I gleaned these mp3’s from various sources (mainly YouTube) they will vary in quality, as some are taken from vinyl sources. I did it once before with my own Kaye Sisters compilation, when not much later, Jasmine issued a CD with nearly the same track-listing as mine. So let’s hope a Jasmine scout is on the lookout!
Unknown to me but look forward to listening. Thanks Bob
This looks like it might be good. She's unknown to me as well. Thanks.
This might help -
http://saxonyrecordcompany.com/vicki-young.html
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