Former Motown Artist Barbara Randolph Sad News

FORMER MOTOWN ARTIST BARBARA RANDOLPH DIES

The below was posted up on the soulful detroit forum (link in links) and on Motown Alumni Association list

I am deeply saddened to inform you all off the death of Barbara Randolph on July 15th. In an effort to re-establish contact with her for the Tammi Terrell project I sent a mail, via a friend, to Eddie Singleton in South Africa and this news has just been relayed to me. I have no idea of the circumstances and am feeling quite shocked right now. She was such a young woman and I really cant begin to imagine what happened. I will talk to Eddie at some point & let you all know. This is just another tragic reminder of how fragile life is. My memories of meeting and knowing her are happy ones & that is how I will keep her in my heart

Andrew Rix

MAA reporter: Rick A. Bueche The Motown Alumni Association has sadly learned of the passing of Barbara Randolph.

It was reported that Miss Randolph died July 15. At this time there are no other details. After a stint with The Platters, Berry Gordy signed Barbara Randolph to the Motown label in the mid 60s. The daughter of actress Lillian Randolph ("Roots"), Barbara was selected for her natural beauty and fine singing voice. In 1967, Gordy was preparing Randolph for possibly replacing Florence Ballard of The Supremes. When Diana Ross rejected this, Randolph began recording as a solo artist. She is best known for her fiery rendition of Holland-Dozier-Hollands "I Got A Feeling." Since its 1968 release, this song has become a dance and Northern Soul classic and appears on several recent Motown compilations. She also recorded a remake of Marvin Gayes "Can I Get A Witness." After leaving Motown in the early 70s, she cut tracks for several labels but made a small comeback in the UK on Ian Levines MotorCity label where she was finally given an album release. MAA sends condolences to the fans and family of Barbara Randolph