Syreeta Wright Syreeta Wright
was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She began singing at age 4. “I used to sing The Lord’s Prayer and my mother would hold her breath until I made the high notes.” Her father was killed in the Korean War and she was raised by her mother and grandmother, and attended private school after her family moved to Detroit when she was eleven years old. There was a move to South Carolina when she was age 15 and then she returned to Detroit. She had dreams of being a ballet dancer but the costs of training discouraged her from pursuing this dream. She developed an interest in writing and singing. Music led her to the offices of Motown Records. In the 1960’s, Syreeta worked as a secretary in one of Motown’s arranging departments. She did session singing and was noticed by Stevie Wonder. They co wrote and she recorded “Signed, Sealed, Delivered. I’m Yours”. Syreeta wrote lyrics to many of Wonder’s melodies. This working relationship developed and in 1972, they married. The same year, her first album, “Syreeta” was released on MoWest Records. (Note: this album is available on CD as a Japanese import at
http://www.soulmusic@aol.com) Although their marriage ended in divorce in 1974, her second album “Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta” was released by Motown. Following the divorce Syreeta took a three month course in Transcendental Meditation in Ethiopia, presumably to reestablish her emotional equilibrium. Her third album “One to One” had a spiritual reflective theme. Although the single from the album “Harmour Love” was released, the album slated for release in 1975 was not put out until 1977 on Tamla Records (also owned by Motown). This album was produced by Syreeta, Leon Ware and bassist Curtis Robertson Jr., who later became Syreeta’s second husband. In the latter part of 1977 Syreeta’s duet with album with G. C. Cameron was released. This was a concept album, which did not meet with commercial success. Motown did not push Syreeta’s efforts as a singer and songwriter. In the next few years she appeared on other artists’ records, including Stevie Wonder, Billy Preston, Gary Bartz, and Donald Byrd. In 1979 Syreeta teamed with Billy Preston for the soundtrack of the Paramount comedy “Fast Break”. The duet “With You I’m Born Again” written by David Shire and Carol Connors was included on the soundtrack and Preston’s album “Late at Night”. It was released as a British
single in August of 1979. Although it had a slow start the record promoter Chris Marshall pushed it and the song reached #2 in England and earned a silver disc for the duo. It was then released in the
u.s. and became a huge hit. In 1980 her contract was up with Motown but because of the success of “With You I’m Born Again” she was resigned and recorded her next album; “Syreeta”. In 1981, Motown released an album of duets with Billy Preston. But the record label waited too long and the momentum was gone. This record was followed by “Set My Love in Motion” in 1981. One of the songs on the album “Wish Upon a Star” was written by Syreeta “with Minnie Riperton in mind.” “I Love You” was dedicated to John Merrick (The Elephant Man). Syreeta said; “I was so moved by how one person cared so much for him and how this terribly lonely man found joy in that blessing, it started me thinking about all the people who have cared for me.” “The Spell” produced by Jermaine Jackson in 1983 was Syreeta’s final album. It was a curious blend of rock, pop and soul. A portion of the material was written three years prior to the actual recording because Syreeta had become discouraged and stopped writing. It is difficult to understand why Motown did not support Syreeta’s development. Mary Wilson in her book "Dream Girls, My Life As a Supreme" says Berry Gordy wanted Syreeta to replace Diana Ross as a Supreme but she refused, and Mary feels that may be the reason she was ignored. Motown has only released “Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta” on CD. On the other hand, the Japanese have made many of her albums available. Syreeta, the mother of two, decided her children were more important than touring, and this may be an additional reason why Syreeta although multi-talented is largely under appreciated. Syreeta has also been seen in the 1995 tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar” as Mary Magdalene. We hope to hear more from Syreeta in the future. Listening to her combination of sweetness, sensuality and spirituality brings a deep sense of renewal.
b. Rita Wright, 28th February 1946, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, U.S.A.
d. 6th July 2004, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Born in Philadelphia in 1946, Syreeta originally joined the Motown stable as a receptionist, however was later to become a performer after being discovered by Brian Holland.
She changed her name at the label's request to Syreeta, as Rita Wright didn't have the 'punch' the label felt would bring her success.
She began recording background vocals during the Sixties, releasing a single of her own in 1967.
That song was produced by Ashford and Simpson and was called 'I Can't Give Back The Love I Feel For You', a tune originally being intended for Diana Ross.
The following year, and following the suggestion by Stevie Wonder, she became a songwriter.
One early success between the two was the song 'It's A Shame' for the, then, Motown Spinners.
By 1970, the collaboration with Stevie saw the release of the song 'Signed, Sealed Delivered, I'm Yours', a song she co-wrote with Wonder, Lee Garrett and Lula Hardaway.
That same year, she collaborated with Stevie on his album 'Where I'm Coming From', co-writing the songs 'Do Yourself A Favor', 'Something Out Of The Blue', 'If You Really Love Me' (a song on which she sang) and 'Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer'.
Stevie and Syreeta married on the 14th September 1970, and although they
were divorced just 18 months later, they continued to work together for several years.
In 1972, Syreeta released her debut album, simply entitled 'Syreeta' for the MoWest imprint.
The album was produced by Stevie and contained her version of the Stevie song 'I Love Every Little Thing About You', along with her interpretation of the Smokey Robinson tune 'What Love Has Joined Together', and the socially aware 'Black Maybe'.
In 1974, the couple collaborated again on the album 'Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta'.
This set brought her chart success with the singles 'Your Kiss Is Sweet' and 'Spinning and Spinning'.
On back ground vocal chores, the line-up included Deniece Williams and the late Minnie Riperton.
Their last collaboration came with the song 'Harmour Love', which became another crossover hit and was later included on her 1977 album 'One To One', a set that contained the excellent Leon Ware / C. Robertson Jnr song 'Tiki Tiki Donga'.
Syreeta recorded one album with G.C. Cameron, entitled 'Rich Love, Poor Love', in 1977, before collaborating with Billy Preston, an association that saw the pair producing the film 'Fast Break'.
The couples major success came with the U.S. and U.K. Top 10 hit, 'With You I'm Born Again', in 1979.
In 1980, Syreeta recorded the song 'And So It Begins', a tune that has become a 'rare groove' over the years.
Syreeta and Billy completed a further album project in 1981 and a single release entitled 'Go For It'.
In 1981, Syreeta released the album 'Set My Love In Motion', an album produced by Ollie E Brown.
By 1983, she had a further release with the album 'The Spell', this time under the production wing of Jermaine Jackson, an album including the song 'Forever Is Not Enough'.
She then became a guest vocalist with the performer Willie Hutch on the song 'The Glow', a tune featured in the movie 'The Last Dragon'.
After this release, family affairs took over and she stopped recording for a while.
She returned to the studio n the late 80's, recording several tracks for lan Levine's Motor City label, including a solo rendition of 'With You I'm Born
Again' and new duets with Billy Preston.
Syreeta was off the scene for most of the 1990's, although she contributed the lyrics and sang the song 'Someday' for Nelson Rangells 'In Every Moment' project in 1992 for the GRP imprint.
Syreeta wrote, or recorded with Sheree Brown, George Howard, Gary Bartz, Patrice Rushen, Wayne Henderson, Jeffrey Osborne, The Stairsteps, George Duke, Quincy Jones and Donald Byrd, amongst others, at various times.
Sadly in 2004, and after a 2 year struggle with bone cancer, Syreeta lost her fight with the illness.
She was 58.
...why not take a listen To 'Heavy Day' taken from her 'Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta' album or...
...or take a listen To 'Tiki Tiki Donga' taken from the album 'One To One', right here...
...or take a listen To 'What Love Has Joined Together' taken from the album 'Syreeta', right here...
...or take a listen To 'Happiness' taken from the album 'Syreeta', right here...
...or take a listen To 'Someday' taken from the Nelson Rangell album 'In Every Moment', right here.
Albums:
Syreeta (MoWest 1972)
Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta (Motown 1974)
One To One (Tamla 1977)
with G.C. Cameron: Rich Love, Poor Love (Motown 1977)
with Billy Preston: Fast Break film soundtrack (Motown 1979)
Syreeta (Tamla 1980)
with Billy Preston: Preston And Syreeta (Motown 1981)
Set My Love In Motion (Tamla 1981)
The Spell (Tamla 1983)
Motown Artist Syreeta Wright Dies
Syreeta Wright, best known for her duet with Billy Preston on "With You I'm Born Again," died last night (July 5) after a long struggle with cancer. She was 58. The singer/songwriter recorded six albums for Motown, the most notable being the first two, which were produced by ex-husband Stevie Wonder.
Born Rita Wright in Pittsburgh, Syreeta was working in the '60s as a Motown secretary when she was enlisted as a backup singer. Founder Berry Gordy later signed her to the label and she recorded a Brian Holland/Ashford & Simpson tune initially meant for Diana Ross, "I Can't Give Back the Love I Feel for You."
Wright married Wonder in 1970. Although the union lasted only two years, their professional collaboration as songwriters spawned a series of hits, including "If You Really Love Me," "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and the Spinners' "It's a Shame."
She released her first Wonder-produced Motown album, the critically
acclaimed "Syreeta", under the MoWest imprint in 1972. "Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta," which musically depicted their relationship from love/marriage to divorce/enduring friendship, was released in 1974. The titles peaked at No. 185 and No. 116, respectively, on Billboard's album chart.
Her best showing on the chart came with 1980's simply titled "Syreeta," released on Motown's Tamla imprint, which reached No. 73. The duet with Preston, "With You I'm Born Again," originally appeared on that year's soundtrack to the Paramount movie "Fast Break." The track reached No. 4 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart in 1980.
Wright, who recorded her last studio album, "The Spell," in 1983, boasted a resume that includes work with Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Leon Ware and Donald Byrd, among others.
At deadline, no further details regarding Wright's death or funeral arrangements were available.
-- Gail Mitchell, L.A. <
This message was posted by Syreeta's friend Sibongile West:
To those who love her...
My Beloved friend, Syreeta Wright passed away today, July 6th, 2004, after a 2 year struggle with bone cancer. To say she will be missed is an understatement. She leaves a family of 2 daughters and 2 sons, grandchildren, her mother and sister and a large host of friends who dearly loved her for her sweetness, humor and the optimism she gave the world. Her angelic voice was just a mere reflection of the beautiful soul she embodied. We love you Syreeta.
Syreeta Wright was one of the most underrated R&B vocalist to emerge out of the 70's Motown scene. The last album she recorded in the US was released in 1983. Ever since then she kept a relatively low profile. She appeared as guest vocalist on albums by artists such as Kirk Whalum (1989) and Nelson Rangell (1992). In 1994, she re-emerged to tour with the Jesus Christ Superstar cast featuring Ted Neeley as Jesus and Carl Anderson as Judas. She played the role of Mary Magdalene. Syreeta spent a lot of time in the UK in the last 15 years. She recorded some songs that were released in the UK as part of a series of compilations on the Motorcity label. The songs also appeared on a Japanese only CD called With You I'm Born Again (Nightmare Records CECC - 00118)
Discography
Syreeta(1972)
Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta (1974)
One To One (1977)
Rich Love Poor Love - With G.C. Cameron(1977)
Syreeta (1980)
Set My Love In Motion (1981)
Billy Preston & Syreeta (1981)
The Spell (1983)
With You I'm Born Again (1990 Japan Only)
LINKS:
http://members.tripod.com/~lowando/syreeta.html
www.members.tripod.com/~lowando/syreeta.html
http://www.urbannetworknews.net/syreeta.html