lorraine ellison

Biography

Lorraine Ellison, born Marybelle Luraine Ellison on March 17, 1931, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a powerhouse American soul singer revered for her emotional intensity and vocal prowess. Raised in a musical family, she began singing gospel at the age of six and performed with several groups, including the Sylvania Singers, the Golden Chords, and later the Ellison Singers—a family ensemble that gained recognition in the early 1960s. Her early career was rooted in gospel, but by 1964, Ellison transitioned to secular music, signing with Mercury Records and releasing her first R&B single, 'I Dig You Baby,' in 1965.

Ellison's breakthrough came in 1966 when she recorded 'Stay With Me' for Warner Bros., a session made possible by a last-minute studio cancellation by Frank Sinatra, which left a full orchestra available for her use. The song, produced by Jerry Ragovoy, became her signature hit and is widely regarded as one of the most powerful soul performances ever recorded. Despite limited commercial success, Ellison's recordings—marked by dramatic orchestration and raw, gospel-infused vocals—earned her a devoted following among soul aficionados and fellow musicians. She continued recording through the early 1970s, collaborating with her manager Sam Bell and working with notable producers and songwriters, before her career slowed. Ellison passed away in her hometown on January 31, 1983, but her legacy endures through her influence on later generations of artists and the enduring appeal of her recordings.

Fun Facts

• Ellison's iconic recording of 'Stay With Me' was made possible when Frank Sinatra canceled a studio session, freeing up a 46-piece orchestra for her use at the last minute.
• She originally performed and recorded with her family group, the Ellison Singers, who achieved success at the Festival of Two Worlds in Italy in 1964.
• Her song 'Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)' was later made famous by Janis Joplin, further cementing Ellison’s influence beyond soul music.
• Despite her powerful voice and critical acclaim, Ellison never achieved major commercial success, making her a cult favorite among soul and Northern soul enthusiasts.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Gospel tradition (church and family) - Early musical foundation and stylistic influence from church singing and family gospel groups (Performances with Sylvania Singers, Golden Chords, Ellison Singers) [1930s–1960s]

Key Collaborators

• Sam Bell - Manager, songwriting partner, and collaborator (Co-wrote 'I Dig You Baby' and other compositions) [1960s–1970s]
• Jerry Ragovoy - Producer and songwriter (Produced and co-wrote 'Stay With Me') [1966]
• Dennis Lambert - Producer and co-writer (Co-wrote and produced 'I Dig You Baby') [1965]
• Van McCoy - Songwriter (Wrote 'Please Don’t Teach Me To Love You' (B-side to 'Call Me Anytime You Need Some Lovin’')) [1966]

Artists Influenced

• Janis Joplin - Covered Ellison's song and cited her as an influence (Remade 'Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)') [Late 1960s]
• Laura Nyro - Admired Ellison's vocal style and emotional delivery (General influence on Nyro’s soul-inspired works) [1960s–1970s]
• Van Morrison - Cited Ellison as an inspiration for vocal intensity (General influence) [1960s–1970s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Stay with Me (Heart and Soul)
2. Stay with Me (Beg, Scream & Shout!: Vol. 2)
3. Stay with Me - Single Version (Best of Loma Records-Rise and Fall of a 1960's Soul Label)
4. Stay with Me (Sister Love: The Warner Bros. Recordings)
5. Try (Just a Little Bit Harder) (Stay with Me)
6. You've Really Got a Hold on Me - Single Version (Sister Love: The Warner Bros. Recordings)
7. Stay With Me (Baby) (Pirate Radio)
8. Try (Just a Little Bit Harder) (50 Greatest Blues)
9. Stay with Me - Mono Single Version (Sister Love: The Warner Bros. Recordings)
10. What a Difference a Day Makes (Sunday Jazz)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #soul