“Operator” Performed by Brenda Holloway (1965)

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Brenda Holloway – Operator (1965) #36 R&B; #78 Pop

While attending a DJ convention, in 1964 Los Angeles, Berry Gordy saw and heard Brenda Holloway singing “My Guy.” He loved what he saw and heard and signed Brenda, as his first California artist, to his Tamla label.

According to the book “California Soul: Music of African Americans in the West” by Jacqueline Cogdell DjeDje and Eddie S. Meadows page Page 328:

“Music Played a pivotal role in Holloway’s childhood. She always loved music, because it had an effect on her and on other people through her. She began playing violin at seven years old and later became accomplished on viola, cello, string bass, and flute. Holloway became fluent on flute and was gifted on the piano. She was also a talented composed: she could hear a melody in her mind and sit down to the piano and create an accompaniment even though she was not trained in piano.”

Brenda had a half dozen hits with Motown , one of which was “Operator,” but retired from the music industry in 1968. She felt that the material and attention Motown was giving her was below par. Sound familiar?

Miss Holloway married a minister, raised a family and later rejoined the music industry when she released her gospel album “Brand New” in 1980.

Musically yours,

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2. "Rilleh!" Performed by Marvin Gaye & Oma Page (1965)
3. "All I Do (Is Think About You)" (1966 & 1980)
4. Every Little Bit Hurts
5. “Double O Soul” Performed By Edwin Starr (1965)

Filed under: Brenda Holloway, Fabulous Female Vocalists, Motown/Tamla, Operator, Pop/R&B, R&B/Motown, Sixties, Smokey Robinson