Died On This Date (September 4, 2012) Lillian Lopez / Lead Singer For Odyssey; Had Big Disco Hit With “Native New Yorker”
themusicsover Lillian Lopez
November 16, 1935 – September 4, 2012
Lillian Lopez is best remembered as the lead singer for ’70s disco outfit, Odyssey. Formed in New York City in 1977, the group initially included Lillian’s sister, Louise Lopez and friend, Tony Reynolds. Sister, Carmen Lopez performed with her siblings during their pre-Odyssey days. In December of 1977, the group scored a dance hit with “Native New Yorker,” which shot to #21 on the Billboard charts and #5 on the UK charts. Odyssey released numerous records over the next few years, but none did as well as “Native New Yorker” until 1982’s “Inside Out,” which reached #13 in the US and #3 in the UK. Much more popular in Europe, the group had no fewer than ten hits there including “Use It Up And Wear It Out” which topped the UK chart in 1980. Their music continues to be popular in the UK thanks in part to the Northern Soul scene. Lopez, the only original member of Odyssey, toured with them until her retirement in 2003. Lillian Lopez was 76 when she died of cancer on September 4, 2012.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.
What You Should Own
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Jimmy Jones got his start in show business as a tap dancer after he moved with his family to New York City as a teen. By the mid ’50s, Jones was singing in local doo-wop groups, but soon went solo. In 1959, he recorded “Handy Man,” a song that he co-wrote, for Cub Records. The record soared to #3 on the US singles chart and topped the charts in the UK as well. That was quickly followed by “Good Timin,'” which did nearly as well. Each sold over a million copies. In later years, both 
Maurice D. Davis was a respected trumpet player who, over the course of his long career, graced over 1500 recordings. After graduating from Tennessee State University and teaching for two years at Rust College, Davis found himself in Detroit, Michigan. The year was 1965, and Davis soon found himself playing in the legendary Motown session band, the Funk Brothers. During his term that lasted until 1980, Davis played on recordings by or toured with the likes of the Supremes, the Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, and the Temptations on whose “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” he particularly shined. Beyond Motown, Davis played with Tony Bennett, 
Donna Summer was a world-renowned American R&B singer who hit her stride during the disco era. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Summer, with her mezzo-soprano vocal range, needed very little studio trickery for her vocals. Coming of age in Boston during the early ’60s, Summer spent countless hours listening to records by and imitating the likes of the Supremes and Martha & the Vandellas. By then she had already been singing in church gospel groups. As the ’60s rolled on, Summer discovered the powerhouse vocals of 