Linda Jones

Linda Jones (December 14, 1944 - March 14, 1972) was an American soul singer with a strong gospel-influenced style.
Linda Jones: The Greatest Singer You Never Heard Of
In the 60s and 70s, Linda Jones was a powerhouse on the charts of soul music. But despite her incredible talent, she remains a relatively unknown figure in the history of music. Even as she battled a series of personal setbacks and tragedies, Linda's voice remained as vibrant and iconic as ever. In this blog post, we'll explore the life and music of the late Linda Jones, highlighting her biography, best songs, music genre, famous concerts, and some music critics.
Linda Jones was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1944. She inherited her musical talent from her mother, a gospel singer, and began performing locally at a young age. By the mid-60s, she had signed with Loma Records, a subsidiary of Warner Bros., and released her first solo single, Fugitive from Love, which landed on the R&B charts. Her early music was squarely in the vein of Motown-style girl groups, but it was clear that Linda possessed a voice that was uniquely her own.
It wasn't until 1967, though, that Linda truly broke through the charts, with a cover of Hypnotized that went all the way to number 4 on the R&B charts. From there, she went on a streak of hits, including What've I Done (To Make You Mad) and Your Precious Love. Her music was characterized by her powerful pipes, which she used to belt out songs that were both heart-wrenching and joyful, often within the same track.
Despite her prolific output and undeniable talent, Linda's career was hindered by a string of personal troubles. In 1972, she was diagnosed with diabetes, which caused her to lose her eyesight and resulted in a kidney transplant a year later. She continued to perform and record, but was eventually sidelined by a series of strokes, which ultimately led to her premature death at the age of 27 in 1972.
In the years since, Linda Jones' music has endured as a testament to her incredible passion and skill. Some of her greatest songs include Hypnotized, Your Precious Love, I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow, and What've I Done (To Make You Mad). Her music defies easy categorization, as it draws from influences as diverse as gospel, R&B, and pop. Yet what unites her work is the raw emotion that she imbued into every performance.
Among her famous concerts, Linda Jones performed at the Apollo Theater in 1968, a moment that was captured in the live recording Live at the Apollo with the Spinners and Linda Jones. The album is hailed as a landmark in soul music, capturing Linda's incredible live energy and the rawness of her vocals.
In a review by Allmusic's David Nathan on Linda Jones' music: Linda Jones's music is more than just nostalgia; it's timeless in its scope and a tribute to one of the most underrated vocalists of the '60s. It is music with heart and soul.
Linda Jones may not be a household name, but her impact on music remains indelible. Her voice, which seems to contain multitudes of emotion in every note, is a reminder of the transformative power that music can hold. While it's a tragedy that her life and career were cut short, her legacy lives on in the hearts of those who appreciate her incredible talent.