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{{Short description|Hawaiian singer, songwriter, and actress|bot=PearBOT 5}} |
{{Short description|Hawaiian singer, songwriter, and actress|bot=PearBOT 5}} |
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{{Infobox musical artist |
{{Infobox musical artist |
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| name = Yvonne Elliman |
| name = Yvonne Elliman |
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| image = Yvonne Elliman.jpg |
| image = Yvonne Elliman.jpg |
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| caption = Elliman on tour with [[Eric Clapton]] |
| caption = Elliman on tour with [[Eric Clapton]] in [[San Bernardino, California]], August 15, 1975 |
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| background = solo_singer |
| background = solo_singer |
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| birth_name = Yvonne Marianne Elliman |
| birth_name = Yvonne Marianne Elliman |
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=y|1951|12|29}} |
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=y|1951|12|29}} |
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| birth_place = [[Honolulu]], [[Territory of Hawaii|Hawaii Territory]], U.S. |
| birth_place = [[Honolulu]], [[Territory of Hawaii|Hawaii Territory]], U.S. |
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| death_date = |
| death_date = {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} |
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| death_place = |
| death_place = |
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| genre = [[Broadway musicals|Broadway]], [[disco |
| genre = [[Broadway musicals|Broadway]], [[disco]], [[Pop music|pop]] |
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| associated_acts = [[Eric Clapton]], [[Bee Gees]] |
| associated_acts = [[Eric Clapton]], [[Bee Gees]] |
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| occupation = [[Singing|Singer]], [[songwriter]], [[actor|actress]] |
| occupation = [[Singing|Singer]], [[songwriter]], [[actor|actress]] |
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| instrument = [[Singing|Vocals]], [[piano]], [[guitar]] |
| instrument = [[Singing|Vocals]], [[piano]], [[guitar]] |
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| years_active = 1969–1980, 2004–present<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p17301/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine |publisher=Allmusic.com |access-date=July 17, 2009}}</ref> |
| years_active = 1969–1980, 2004–present<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p17301/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine |publisher=Allmusic.com |access-date=July 17, 2009}}</ref> |
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| label = [[Purple Records]], [[RSO Records]], [[Polydor Records]], Umgd Records, Umvd Import, [[Polygram Records]], Taragon Records |
| label = [[Purple Records]], [[RSO Records]], [[Polydor Records]], Umgd Records, Umvd Import, [[Polygram Records]], Taragon Records |
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| website = |
| website = |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Yvonne Marianne Elliman''' (born December 29, 1951)<ref name="AMG"/> is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who performed for four years in the first cast of the stage musical ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar]]''. She scored a number of hits in the 1970s and achieved a US |
'''Yvonne Marianne Elliman''' (born December 29, 1951)<ref name="AMG"/> is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who performed for four years in the first cast of the stage musical ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar]]''. She scored a number of hits in the 1970s and achieved a US No. 1 hit with "[[If I Can't Have You (Bee Gees song)|If I Can't Have You]]". The song also reached No. 9 on the Adult Contemporary chart and number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. Her cover of [[Barbara Lewis]]'s "[[Hello Stranger (song)|Hello Stranger]]" went to No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and "[[Love Me (Bee Gees song)|Love Me]]" was No. 5; at the time she had 3 top 10 singles. After a long hiatus in the 1980s and 1990s, during which time she left music to be with her family, she made a comeback album as a singer-songwriter in 2004. |
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==Biography== |
==Biography== |
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===Early years=== |
===Early years=== |
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Elliman was born and raised in the [[Manoa]] neighborhood of [[Honolulu, Hawaii]]. Her mother was of [[Japanese American|Japanese]] |
Elliman was born and raised in the [[Manoa]] neighborhood of [[Honolulu, Hawaii]]. Her mother was of [[Japanese American|Japanese]] and [[Chinese American|Chinese]] ancestries <ref name=HonoluluAdv>Wayne Harada. |
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[http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Feb/17/il/il01a.html Honolulu Advertiser: "Reinvigorated Elliman may invest in rock future"], February 17, 2002.</ref> and her father, a salesman for [[Hellmann's and Best Foods|Best Foods]], was of [[Irish American|Irish]] descent.<ref>Rasa Fournier. |
[http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Feb/17/il/il01a.html Honolulu Advertiser: "Reinvigorated Elliman may invest in rock future"], February 17, 2002.</ref> and her father, a salesman for [[Hellmann's and Best Foods|Best Foods]], was of [[Irish American|Irish]] descent.<ref>Rasa Fournier. |
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[http://archives.midweek.com/content/story/theweekend_coverstory/yvonne_elliman_still_rockin/ Midweek Kaui: "Yvonne Elliman: Still Rockin' - While walking in her Manoa neighborhood, Yvonne Elliman talks candidly about her roller coaster trip to stardom in the 1970s when she was performing with the likes of Eric Clapton"], midweek.com. May 11, 2007.</ref> Elliman showed interest in music from an early age, playing the ukulele by age four and taking piano lessons at age seven. While attending [[President Theodore Roosevelt High School]], Elliman performed in the school band on standup bass and violin. However, she became most proficient on the guitar and performed as a singer and guitarist in a folk music band named We Folk, which she formed with schoolmates. The band fared well in local talent shows.<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|title=The Virgin encyclopedia of 70s music|year=2002|publisher=Virgin|isbn=978-1-85227-947-9|page=122}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://honoluluweekly.com/entertainment/2007/05/that-70s-show/|title=That '70s show|access-date=March 22, 2016}}</ref> |
[http://archives.midweek.com/content/story/theweekend_coverstory/yvonne_elliman_still_rockin/ Midweek Kaui: "Yvonne Elliman: Still Rockin' - While walking in her Manoa neighborhood, Yvonne Elliman talks candidly about her roller coaster trip to stardom in the 1970s when she was performing with the likes of Eric Clapton"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406063526/http://archives.midweek.com/content/story/theweekend_coverstory/yvonne_elliman_still_rockin |date=April 6, 2015 }}, midweek.com. May 11, 2007.</ref> Elliman showed interest in music from an early age, playing the ukulele by age four and taking piano lessons at age seven. While attending [[President Theodore Roosevelt High School]], Elliman performed in the school band on standup bass and violin. However, she became most proficient on the guitar and performed as a singer and guitarist in a folk music band named We Folk, which she formed with schoolmates. The band fared well competing in local talent shows.<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|title=The Virgin encyclopedia of 70s music|year=2002|publisher=Virgin|isbn=978-1-85227-947-9|page=122}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://honoluluweekly.com/entertainment/2007/05/that-70s-show/|title=That '70s show|access-date=March 22, 2016}}</ref> |
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According to Elliman, she was truant during her senior year at high school but graduated owing to the intervention of the school's British-born band teacher |
According to Elliman, she was truant during her senior year at high school but graduated owing to the intervention of Peter Wilcox, the school's British-born band teacher, who persuaded her teachers to allow her to pass. He encouraged 17-year-old Elliman to relocate to [[London]] and pursue a musical career, which she did shortly after graduating.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www3.hpu.edu/kalamalama/archive/2608/sub/People02.htm|title=Online People02|access-date=March 22, 2016}}</ref><ref name="bronson">{{cite book|last=Bronson|first=Fred|title=The Billboard book of number 1 hits|year=2003|publisher=Billboard Books|isbn=978-0-8230-7677-2|page=490|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PgGqNrqfrsoC&pg=PT490}}</ref> |
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===London years, ''Jesus Christ Superstar''=== |
===London years, ''Jesus Christ Superstar''=== |
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[[File:Jesus Christ Superstar Elliman Neeley 1973.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Elliman with [[Ted Neeley]] in the 1973 feature film ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar (film)|Jesus Christ Superstar]]'' |
[[File:Jesus Christ Superstar Elliman Neeley 1973.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Elliman with [[Ted Neeley]] in the 1973 feature film ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar (film)|Jesus Christ Superstar]]'']] |
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Elliman's singing career began in 1969 in [[London]], |
Elliman's singing career began in 1969 in [[London]], performing in [[bar (establishment)|bars]] and [[nightclub|clubs]]. At the time she did not like what she was singing. "I hated the music then", she recalled in a 1973 interview,<ref name="VilVoice">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/05/in_the_desert_w.php#more|title=In the Desert With 'Jesus Christ Superstar'|author=Tony Ortega|author-link=Tony Ortega|date=May 19, 2011|work=Village Voice|access-date=March 22, 2016}}</ref> adding, "I did it for the bread. I was into drugs and all that, and thought [[Grace Slick]] and the [[Jefferson Airplane]] was it". While still an unknown,<ref>{{cite book|last=Snelson|first=John|title=Andrew Lloyd Webber|year=2009|publisher=Yale UP|isbn=978-0-300-15113-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780300151138/page/7 7]|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780300151138|url-access=registration}}</ref> she was discovered by [[Tim Rice]] and [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]], who asked her to sing Mary Magdalene's part for the [[Jesus Christ Superstar (album)|original audio recording of ''Jesus Christ Superstar'']]. [[Ian Gillan]] was featured singing as [[Jesus]]. After its release as an album in 1970, they invited her to join the stage show's traveling cast, which she did for four years.<ref name="bronson"/> |
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She had her first [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] hit single in 1971 with the [[ballad]] "[[I Don't Know How to Love Him]]" from ''Jesus Christ Superstar''. Her original version was not issued as a single until a [[cover version]] by [[Helen Reddy]] started moving up the U.S. charts; appearing concurrently on the charts (a rare event, not common since the 1950s, when different releases played in different parts of the United States), Elliman's original peaked at #28, while Reddy's cover peaked at #13.<ref name="AMG"/> In the end |
She had her first [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] hit single in 1971 with the [[ballad]] "[[I Don't Know How to Love Him]]" from ''Jesus Christ Superstar''. Her original version was not issued as a single until a [[cover version]] by [[Helen Reddy]] started moving up the U.S. charts; appearing concurrently on the charts (a rare event, not common since the 1950s, when different releases played in different parts of the United States), Elliman's original peaked at #28, while Reddy's cover peaked at #13.<ref name="AMG"/> In the end Elliman performed on the [[Jesus Christ Superstar (album)|1970 concept album]], in the original Broadway cast (1971), and in the 1973 [[Jesus Christ Superstar (film)|film]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Hischak|first=Thomas S.|title=The Oxford companion to the American musical: theatre, film, and television|year=2008|publisher=Oxford UP|isbn=978-0-19-533533-0|page=874|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XbBz3C4Gr0EC&pg=PA874}}</ref> She and [[Barry Dennen]] were the only cast members that performed on the original record, original Broadway production, and the film.<ref name ="VilVoice"/> Her performance in the film as Mary Magdalene led to her being nominated for a 1974 [[Golden Globe]] for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical|Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical]].<ref name="AMG"/> |
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===New York and disco=== |
===New York and disco=== |
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In 1971, aged 19, Elliman moved to [[New York City]] for the Broadway production of ''Jesus Christ, Superstar'', where she met her first husband,<ref name="Careerkokua">{{cite web|url=http://www.careerkokua.org/career/article/?id=196 |title=Yvonne Elliman: Still Rockin' |publisher=Careerkokua (Hawaii Careers Information website) |date=May 16, 2007 |access-date=September 26, 2012}}</ref> Bill Oakes, who was |
In 1971, aged 19, Elliman moved to [[New York City]] for the Broadway production of ''Jesus Christ, Superstar'', where she met her first husband,<ref name="Careerkokua">{{cite web|url=http://www.careerkokua.org/career/article/?id=196 |title=Yvonne Elliman: Still Rockin' |publisher=Careerkokua (Hawaii Careers Information website) |date=May 16, 2007 |access-date=September 26, 2012}}</ref> Bill Oakes, who was president of [[Robert Stigwood]]'s [[RSO Records]]. Before moving she was signed to [[Purple Records]], singing on [[Jon Lord]]'s album ''[[Gemini Suite]]'' in 1971 and releasing her second solo album ''[[Food of Love (album)|Food of Love]]'' in 1973. She was asked to sing backing vocals on [[Eric Clapton]]'s version of the [[Bob Marley]] song "[[I Shot the Sheriff]]" in 1974. She then went on tour as part of Clapton's band, and soon afterwards got her own recording contract with RSO Records. She continued to work with Clapton, performing on his albums from 1974-77, including ''[[461 Ocean Boulevard]]'', ''[[There's One in Every Crowd]]'', ''[[E. C. Was Here]]'', ''[[No Reason to Cry]]'', and ''[[Slowhand]]''. A first album for the RSO label (her third in all), ''Rising Sun'', produced by [[Steve Cropper]], produced no hit singles, but her next album, ''Love Me'', produced by [[Freddie Perren]], gave her two top-20 hits, "Love Me" (written by [[Barry Gibb|Barry]] and [[Robin Gibb]]), and a Barbara Lewis cover song, "[[Hello Stranger (song)|Hello Stranger]]".<ref name="bronson"/> "Hello Stranger" topped the U.S. [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Easy Listening]] chart for four weeks, and was also a No. 15 pop hit in 1977; "Love Me" was a No. 14 pop hit in late 1976/early 1977.<ref name="AMG"/> |
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Also in 1977, the [[Bee Gees]] were working on ''[[Saturday Night Fever]]'' and wrote "[[How Deep Is Your Love (Bee Gees song)|How Deep Is Your Love]]" for her, but Stigwood wanted the Bee Gees to perform it. Instead, she sang "[[If I Can't Have You (Bee Gees song)|If I Can't Have You]]".<ref>{{cite book|last=Bilyeu|first=Melinda|title=The Bee Gees: tales of the brothers Gibb|year=2004|publisher=Omnibus|isbn=978-1-84449-057-8|page=412|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fmJaMqqlueIC&pg=PA412|author2=Hector Cook |author3=Andrew Môn Hughes }}</ref> The song became a number-one hit on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]];<ref name="AMG"/> it is generally considered the high point of her recording career.<ref>{{cite book|last=Simpson|first=Paul|title=The Rough Guide to Cult Pop|year=2003|publisher=Rough Guides|isbn=978-1-84353-229-3|page=141|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F7hpXcrqA-8C&pg=PA141}}</ref> |
Also in 1977, the [[Bee Gees]] were working on ''[[Saturday Night Fever]]'' and wrote "[[How Deep Is Your Love (Bee Gees song)|How Deep Is Your Love]]" for her, but Stigwood wanted the Bee Gees to perform it. Instead, she sang "[[If I Can't Have You (Bee Gees song)|If I Can't Have You]]".<ref>{{cite book|last=Bilyeu|first=Melinda|title=The Bee Gees: tales of the brothers Gibb|year=2004|publisher=Omnibus|isbn=978-1-84449-057-8|page=412|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fmJaMqqlueIC&pg=PA412|author2=Hector Cook |author3=Andrew Môn Hughes }}</ref> The song became a number-one hit on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]];<ref name="AMG"/> it is generally considered the high point of her recording career.<ref>{{cite book|last=Simpson|first=Paul|title=The Rough Guide to Cult Pop|year=2003|publisher=Rough Guides|isbn=978-1-84353-229-3|page=141|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F7hpXcrqA-8C&pg=PA141}}</ref> |
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A few minor top 40 hits followed in 1979, including the [[Moment by Moment (song)|title theme song]] from the film ''[[Moment by Moment]]'' and another disco track, "[[Love Pains]]", which was a major club success. She appeared in ''[[Hawaii Five-O (1968 TV series)|Hawaii Five-O]]'' in a two-part episode ("Number One with a Bullet", 1978) as an aspiring singer, performing the song "I Can't Get You Outa My Mind" with fellow guest performer [[James Darren]]. The single "Savannah" was also a minor hit. |
A few minor top 40 hits followed in 1979, including the [[Moment by Moment (song)|title theme song]] from the film ''[[Moment by Moment]]'' and another disco track, "[[Love Pains]]", which was a major club success. She appeared in ''[[Hawaii Five-O (1968 TV series)|Hawaii Five-O]]'' in a two-part episode ("Number One with a Bullet", 1978) as an aspiring singer, performing the song "I Can't Get You Outa My Mind" with fellow guest performer [[James Darren]]. The single "Savannah" was also a minor hit. |
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===Hiatus and |
===Hiatus and return=== |
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After spending a decade pursuing her career, Elliman went on hiatus |
After spending a decade pursuing her career, Elliman went on hiatus; she had two children at home.<ref name=HonoluluAdv /> |
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In 2004, Elliman released the album ''Simple Needs'', for which she wrote all the songs. |
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Elliman has continued performing at [[music festival]]s, benefits, and concerts |
Elliman has continued performing at [[music festival]]s, benefits, and concerts. She performed on a [[PBS]] special on 1970s [[soul music]] in 2004, singing "If I Can't Have You." In 2014 she reunited with Neeley and Dennen in [[Verona]] for a special ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' event.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.verona-in.it/2014/10/15/celebration-day-in-arena-i-40-anni-jesus-christ-superstar/|title=Celebration day, in Arena i 40 anni di Jesus Christ Superstar|date=October 15, 2014|work=Verona In|access-date=July 5, 2018|language=it-IT}}</ref> She is featured on the 2014 Neeley [[extended play|EP]] ''Rock Opera'' performing a duet with him on "[[Up Where We Belong]]". In summer 2018 she joined in 45th anniversary ''Superstar'' film screenings events in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2166306790064410&id=1157643697597396|title=The Real Yvonne Elliman|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=July 11, 2019}} </ref> |
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<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2166306790064410&id=1157643697597396|title=The Real Yvonne Elliman|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=2019-07-11}} </ref> |
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
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Elliman was married to RSO Records executive Bill Oakes from 1972 to 1980.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0642953/bio|title=Bill Oakes|website=IMDb|access-date= |
Elliman was married to RSO Records executive Bill Oakes from 1972 to 1980.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0642953/bio|title=Bill Oakes|website=IMDb|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref> She married songwriter Wade Hyman in 1981<ref>[http://www3.hpu.edu/kalamalama/archive/2608/sub/People02.htm Hawaii Pacific University newspaper: "Superstar Yvonne Elliman back in Hawaii" by Agge Sjobom]; retrieved April 6, 2015.</ref> and they had two children, Sage (born in 1982) and Ben (born in 1986).<ref name=HonoluluAdv /> They later separated and divorced. She married Allen Alexander in January 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dailyentertainmentnews.com/breaking-news/558051/|title=Yvonne Elliman-Alexander's Husband Allen Alexander (Bio, Wiki)|date=August 18, 2017|website=DailyEntertainmentNews.com|language=en-US|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref> |
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On August 16, 2017, Elliman was slated to sing |
On August 16, 2017, Elliman was slated to sing for a Catholic school charity in [[Guam]] when she was stopped by customs for possession of [[marijuana]] and [[methamphetamine]]. After spending a night in jail, she and her husband pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, continued with the planned concert, and were allowed to return to Hawaii on probation until their March 2018 sentencing. They were ordered to perform community service and serve the remainder of a two-week sentence, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine said, "by observing courtroom proceedings of a drug offender probation program in Honolulu."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pacificnewscenter.com/yvonne-elliman-and-husband-arrested-for-alleged-drug-possession/|title=Yvonne Elliman and husband arrested for alleged drug possession|work=PNC News|last=Carrera|first=Janela|date=August 15, 2017|language=en-US|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pacificnewscenter.com/grammy-award-singer-admits-to-occasional-drug-use-to-get-through-performances/|title=Grammy award singer admits to occasional drug use to "get through" performances|work=PNC News|last=Toves|first=Jolene|date=August 31, 2017|language=en-US|access-date=July 11, 2019}} |
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</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8262391/grammy-winner-yvonne-elliman-serve-drug-sentence-hawaii|title=Grammy Winner Yvonne Elliman to Serve Drug Sentence in Hawaii|magazine=Billboard|access-date= |
</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8262391/grammy-winner-yvonne-elliman-serve-drug-sentence-hawaii|title=Grammy Winner Yvonne Elliman to Serve Drug Sentence in Hawaii|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref> |
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==Discography== |
==Discography== |
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* ''[[Yvonne Elliman (album)|Yvonne Elliman]]'' (1972) |
* ''[[Yvonne Elliman (album)|Yvonne Elliman]]'' (1972) |
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* ''[[Food of Love (album)|Food of Love]]'' (1973) |
* ''[[Food of Love (album)|Food of Love]]'' (1973) |
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* ''Rising Sun'' (1975) |
* ''[[Rising Sun (Yvonne Elliman album)|Rising Sun]]'' (1975) |
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* ''[[Love Me (Yvonne Elliman album)|Love Me]]'' (1977) |
* ''[[Love Me (Yvonne Elliman album)|Love Me]]'' (1977) |
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* ''Night Flight'' (1978) |
* ''[[Night Flight (Yvonne Elliman album)|Night Flight]]'' (1978) |
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* ''Yvonne'' (1979) |
* ''Yvonne'' (1979) |
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* ''Simple Needs'' (2004) |
* ''Simple Needs'' (2004) |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Elliman, Yvonne}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elliman, Yvonne}} |
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[[Category:1951 births]] |
[[Category:1951 births]] |
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[[Category:American musical theatre actresses]] |
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[[Category:Musicians from Honolulu]] |
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[[Category:RSO Records artists]] |
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Latest revision as of 18:28, 6 December 2024
Yvonne Elliman | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Yvonne Marianne Elliman |
Born | Honolulu, Hawaii Territory, U.S. | December 29, 1951
Genres | Broadway, disco, pop |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, actress |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano, guitar |
Years active | 1969–1980, 2004–present[1] |
Labels | Purple Records, RSO Records, Polydor Records, Umgd Records, Umvd Import, Polygram Records, Taragon Records |
Yvonne Marianne Elliman (born December 29, 1951)[1] is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who performed for four years in the first cast of the stage musical Jesus Christ Superstar. She scored a number of hits in the 1970s and achieved a US No. 1 hit with "If I Can't Have You". The song also reached No. 9 on the Adult Contemporary chart and number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. Her cover of Barbara Lewis's "Hello Stranger" went to No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and "Love Me" was No. 5; at the time she had 3 top 10 singles. After a long hiatus in the 1980s and 1990s, during which time she left music to be with her family, she made a comeback album as a singer-songwriter in 2004.
Biography
[edit]Early years
[edit]Elliman was born and raised in the Manoa neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaii. Her mother was of Japanese and Chinese ancestries [2] and her father, a salesman for Best Foods, was of Irish descent.[3] Elliman showed interest in music from an early age, playing the ukulele by age four and taking piano lessons at age seven. While attending President Theodore Roosevelt High School, Elliman performed in the school band on standup bass and violin. However, she became most proficient on the guitar and performed as a singer and guitarist in a folk music band named We Folk, which she formed with schoolmates. The band fared well competing in local talent shows.[4][5]
According to Elliman, she was truant during her senior year at high school but graduated owing to the intervention of Peter Wilcox, the school's British-born band teacher, who persuaded her teachers to allow her to pass. He encouraged 17-year-old Elliman to relocate to London and pursue a musical career, which she did shortly after graduating.[6][7]
London years, Jesus Christ Superstar
[edit]Elliman's singing career began in 1969 in London, performing in bars and clubs. At the time she did not like what she was singing. "I hated the music then", she recalled in a 1973 interview,[8] adding, "I did it for the bread. I was into drugs and all that, and thought Grace Slick and the Jefferson Airplane was it". While still an unknown,[9] she was discovered by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, who asked her to sing Mary Magdalene's part for the original audio recording of Jesus Christ Superstar. Ian Gillan was featured singing as Jesus. After its release as an album in 1970, they invited her to join the stage show's traveling cast, which she did for four years.[7]
She had her first Billboard Hot 100 hit single in 1971 with the ballad "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar. Her original version was not issued as a single until a cover version by Helen Reddy started moving up the U.S. charts; appearing concurrently on the charts (a rare event, not common since the 1950s, when different releases played in different parts of the United States), Elliman's original peaked at #28, while Reddy's cover peaked at #13.[1] In the end Elliman performed on the 1970 concept album, in the original Broadway cast (1971), and in the 1973 film.[10] She and Barry Dennen were the only cast members that performed on the original record, original Broadway production, and the film.[8] Her performance in the film as Mary Magdalene led to her being nominated for a 1974 Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.[1]
New York and disco
[edit]In 1971, aged 19, Elliman moved to New York City for the Broadway production of Jesus Christ, Superstar, where she met her first husband,[11] Bill Oakes, who was president of Robert Stigwood's RSO Records. Before moving she was signed to Purple Records, singing on Jon Lord's album Gemini Suite in 1971 and releasing her second solo album Food of Love in 1973. She was asked to sing backing vocals on Eric Clapton's version of the Bob Marley song "I Shot the Sheriff" in 1974. She then went on tour as part of Clapton's band, and soon afterwards got her own recording contract with RSO Records. She continued to work with Clapton, performing on his albums from 1974-77, including 461 Ocean Boulevard, There's One in Every Crowd, E. C. Was Here, No Reason to Cry, and Slowhand. A first album for the RSO label (her third in all), Rising Sun, produced by Steve Cropper, produced no hit singles, but her next album, Love Me, produced by Freddie Perren, gave her two top-20 hits, "Love Me" (written by Barry and Robin Gibb), and a Barbara Lewis cover song, "Hello Stranger".[7] "Hello Stranger" topped the U.S. Easy Listening chart for four weeks, and was also a No. 15 pop hit in 1977; "Love Me" was a No. 14 pop hit in late 1976/early 1977.[1]
Also in 1977, the Bee Gees were working on Saturday Night Fever and wrote "How Deep Is Your Love" for her, but Stigwood wanted the Bee Gees to perform it. Instead, she sang "If I Can't Have You".[12] The song became a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100;[1] it is generally considered the high point of her recording career.[13]
A few minor top 40 hits followed in 1979, including the title theme song from the film Moment by Moment and another disco track, "Love Pains", which was a major club success. She appeared in Hawaii Five-O in a two-part episode ("Number One with a Bullet", 1978) as an aspiring singer, performing the song "I Can't Get You Outa My Mind" with fellow guest performer James Darren. The single "Savannah" was also a minor hit.
Hiatus and return
[edit]After spending a decade pursuing her career, Elliman went on hiatus; she had two children at home.[2]
In 2004, Elliman released the album Simple Needs, for which she wrote all the songs.
Elliman has continued performing at music festivals, benefits, and concerts. She performed on a PBS special on 1970s soul music in 2004, singing "If I Can't Have You." In 2014 she reunited with Neeley and Dennen in Verona for a special Jesus Christ Superstar event.[14] She is featured on the 2014 Neeley EP Rock Opera performing a duet with him on "Up Where We Belong". In summer 2018 she joined in 45th anniversary Superstar film screenings events in Los Angeles.[15]
Personal life
[edit]Elliman was married to RSO Records executive Bill Oakes from 1972 to 1980.[16] She married songwriter Wade Hyman in 1981[17] and they had two children, Sage (born in 1982) and Ben (born in 1986).[2] They later separated and divorced. She married Allen Alexander in January 2016.[18]
On August 16, 2017, Elliman was slated to sing for a Catholic school charity in Guam when she was stopped by customs for possession of marijuana and methamphetamine. After spending a night in jail, she and her husband pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, continued with the planned concert, and were allowed to return to Hawaii on probation until their March 2018 sentencing. They were ordered to perform community service and serve the remainder of a two-week sentence, Billboard magazine said, "by observing courtroom proceedings of a drug offender probation program in Honolulu."[19][20][21]
Discography
[edit]- Yvonne Elliman (1972)
- Food of Love (1973)
- Rising Sun (1975)
- Love Me (1977)
- Night Flight (1978)
- Yvonne (1979)
- Simple Needs (2004)
See also
[edit]- List of number-one hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine". Allmusic.com. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ a b c Wayne Harada. Honolulu Advertiser: "Reinvigorated Elliman may invest in rock future", February 17, 2002.
- ^ Rasa Fournier. Midweek Kaui: "Yvonne Elliman: Still Rockin' - While walking in her Manoa neighborhood, Yvonne Elliman talks candidly about her roller coaster trip to stardom in the 1970s when she was performing with the likes of Eric Clapton" Archived April 6, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, midweek.com. May 11, 2007.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2002). The Virgin encyclopedia of 70s music. Virgin. p. 122. ISBN 978-1-85227-947-9.
- ^ "That '70s show". Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ "Online People02". Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ a b c Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard book of number 1 hits. Billboard Books. p. 490. ISBN 978-0-8230-7677-2.
- ^ a b Tony Ortega (May 19, 2011). "In the Desert With 'Jesus Christ Superstar'". Village Voice. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ Snelson, John (2009). Andrew Lloyd Webber. Yale UP. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-300-15113-8.
- ^ Hischak, Thomas S. (2008). The Oxford companion to the American musical: theatre, film, and television. Oxford UP. p. 874. ISBN 978-0-19-533533-0.
- ^ "Yvonne Elliman: Still Rockin'". Careerkokua (Hawaii Careers Information website). May 16, 2007. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
- ^ Bilyeu, Melinda; Hector Cook; Andrew Môn Hughes (2004). The Bee Gees: tales of the brothers Gibb. Omnibus. p. 412. ISBN 978-1-84449-057-8.
- ^ Simpson, Paul (2003). The Rough Guide to Cult Pop. Rough Guides. p. 141. ISBN 978-1-84353-229-3.
- ^ "Celebration day, in Arena i 40 anni di Jesus Christ Superstar". Verona In (in Italian). October 15, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
- ^ "The Real Yvonne Elliman". www.facebook.com. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
- ^ "Bill Oakes". IMDb. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
- ^ Hawaii Pacific University newspaper: "Superstar Yvonne Elliman back in Hawaii" by Agge Sjobom; retrieved April 6, 2015.
- ^ "Yvonne Elliman-Alexander's Husband Allen Alexander (Bio, Wiki)". DailyEntertainmentNews.com. August 18, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
- ^ Carrera, Janela (August 15, 2017). "Yvonne Elliman and husband arrested for alleged drug possession". PNC News. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
- ^ Toves, Jolene (August 31, 2017). "Grammy award singer admits to occasional drug use to "get through" performances". PNC News. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
- ^ "Grammy Winner Yvonne Elliman to Serve Drug Sentence in Hawaii". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
External links
[edit]- 1951 births
- 20th-century American women singers
- 21st-century American women singers
- Actresses from Honolulu
- American dance musicians
- American film actresses
- American musical theatre actresses
- American musicians of Japanese descent
- American people of Irish descent
- American women musicians of Japanese descent
- American women pop singers
- Decca Records artists
- Living people
- Grammy Award winners
- Musicians from Honolulu
- President Theodore Roosevelt High School alumni
- RSO Records artists