Lea Roberts
Dayton, mid 1960s-1970s
Lea Roberts (given name Leatha Earley) had a few near hits but never one to really establish her recording career, which lasted for 6 years.
She was born into a musical family and started as a member of Dayton's Sweet Chariot gospel choir, which was led by her mother. In the mid 1960s she spent some time in Detroit working as a background singer, and possibly making some solo recordings that were never released.
In the 1968/9 time frame she moved to the New York City/New Jersey area to get more opportunities. That move paid off when producer George Butler heard her singing in church and signed to United Artists, the label that employed him.
Her first recording "Prove It" gome some airplay and sales but did not make the national charts. She did get some shows from the record's success.
Lea's first two records were on the Minit label. The parent company United Artists folded the label and all her later records were on the UA label. The first UA record "Fifty Fifty" and the flip side also seemed to get a bit of exposure. She appeared on the Soul! TV show (public televsion) in April 1971, singing "Don't Let Me Fall In Love Alone" (incorrectly listed as 'Again' in the TV listings). Lorain author Toni Morrrson was also on the same show.
Thanksgiving 1971 in Dayton
She had a booking at the Sahara in Lake Tahoe during January 1972, and later in June 1973, and also did a handfull of highly publicised multi-artist shows, usually as a part of Black music and cultural celebrations. She recorded a few more unsuccessful 45s with a new producer, Jimmy Briggs.
In 1973 UA tried another career boost by releasing an album "Excuse Me, I Want to Talk With You" and the title song on a 45. She had a different producer, Wade Marcus. who had done a lot of work at Motown. Again, big success eluded her.
October 1974 ad also with Springfield's Pleasure Seekers
In 1974 she recorded "Laughter In The Rain" which was written by Neil Sedaka, and recorded by him for an imminent release. Lea's version came out first but Neil had the big hit which launched his mid 1970s comeback. This record was produced by yet another production team, Spencer Proffer and Denny Diante.
She appeared on the Ebony Affair TV show in the summer of 1975, with a new album "Lady Lea" also produced by Proffer and Diante. They gave her a more aggressive, at times rock oriented sound and it paid off a little when the lead single, an excellent and unlikely cover of the Free classic "All Right Now", cracked the Billboard top 100. The song was a hit in several markets including Cleveland where ir charted on the WIXY top 40. The LP got a lot of good press but it was still not the big break she wanted. United Artists tried one more 45 that was not a hit, and that was pretty much the end for Lea as a popular recording artist.
When her record contracts ended, she decided to stay home and spend time raising her children. She performed occasionally, considering herself more of a jazz artist. She recorded a final album in 1982 with a group of musicians from the Denver area, and released on a Denver label, Skies Unlimted records.
One of her main influences was Chillicothe/Columbus star Nancy Wilson.
She is the younger sister of "Little Woo-Woo" Edward Early (Earley).
Discography:
Prove It / When Something Is Wrong With my Baby - Minit 32069, 1969
Love On My Mind / Stay With Me - Minit 32095, 1970
Fifty-Fifty / Don't Let Me fall In Love Alone - United Artists 50733, 1970
Can't Get Enough Of You / You And I - United Artists 50785, 1971
Mr. Preacher Man / Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me - United Artists 50896, 1972
(If You Don't Want My Love) Give It Back / Coming Back Home - United Artists XW223, 1973
Excuse Me (I Want To Talk To You) / Maybe I Don't Show It - United Artists XW228, 1973
(LP) Excuse Me - I Want To Talk To You - United Artists LA088, 1973
I Know / Ivory - United Artists XW358, 1973
Let It Shine / Find A Place - United Artists XW429, 1973
Laughter In The Rain / She Will Break Your Heart - United Artists XW539, 1974
LP - Lady Lea - United Artists LA418, 1975
All Right Now / All Over Again - United Artists XW626, 1975
Loing You Gets Better With Time / Chained To Thjis Memory - United Artists XW675, 1975
LP- My Silent Place - Skies Unlimted no #, 1982