Genres: Pop, R&B/Soul, Blues, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s
Since her legendary debut at the Apollo Theatre in 1961 Maxine Brown has established herself as one of R&B’s most talented and dynamic performers, who can still bring an audience of thousands to its feet. Hailed by ROLLING STONE RECORD GUIDE as “one of the truly gifted singers of her generation”, she continues to perform around the world today.
Born in Kingstree, South Carolina, Maxine Brown moved to New York with her mother and sister at age nine. As a teenager, she sang with many gospel groups and eventually performed with the Charles Taylor Singers. She received her first taste of show business when she was invited to join The Manhattans. During this time, Maxine quietly wrote her first song and put it aside.
Maxine was then discovered and booked on the spot as a regular performer by a local New York club owner after a friend invited Maxine up on stage to sing. Impressed by her vocals and stage presence, the owner eventually paid for a recording demo for Maxine. She recorded the little song she had quietly written years before: “ALL IN MY MIND”. She was immediately picked up by the independent Nomar label and the song sold over a million copies. Later that year Nomar released Maxine’s second single, “FUNNY”, which also went gold. It was 1961.
Maxine was picked up by ABC Paramount where she recorded hit after hit, but it was only after legendary independent label Scepter Records acquired her entire catalog that the songs finally took off and Maxine Brown began a long run of charted singles including Carole King’s “OH NO NOT MY BABY”, “IT’S GONNA BE ALRIGHT”, “IF YOU GOTTA MAKE A FOOL OF SOMEBODY” and a series of duets with Chuck Jackson, including “SOMETHING YOU GOT”, “HOLD ON I’M COMING” and “DADDY’S HOME” and Maxine’s first album GREATEST HITS.
From Scepter Maxine went first to Columbia Records and then Commonwealth United where she made her unforgettable recording of Rosemarie McCoy’s “WE’LL CRY TOGETHER”. In 1971 she moved to Avco Embassy where she recorded “MAKE LOVE TO ME”. In 1974 Maxine went into Vinnette Carroll’s Tony nominated musical, DON’T BOTHER ME I CAN’T COPE. In 1991, Maxine received the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and in the spring of 2006 Maxine released her latest critically acclaimed CD, FROM THE HEART.
Maxine has toured and performed with such legends as Jackie Wilson, Ben E King, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, The Shirells, Ray Charles, Little Anthony, B B King, The Four Tops, Otis Redding, Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield. Maxine Brown lives in New York City and is still bringing audiences everywhere to their feet!
Songs (click on song title for more information):
