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Monday, 8 February 2016

DELILAH


There is no doubt about it, Delilah was a born performer, a born entertainer. At the early age of 4 years Delilah was entertaining neighbourhood kids in her backyard in Baltimore, Maryland, charging one cent for admission. Later, inspired by the gospel music of her church choir, more interested in singing in school concerts than reading textbooks, Delilah with stardom in her eyes, headed for San Francisco, singing jazz and rhythm & blues in a pizza parlour. Delilah's undoubtable talents were quickly recognized alongside the likes of Sly Stone and Bobby Freeman.

Bookings in Canada resulted and were followed by a successful trip to Japan. Delilah's professionalism was however then cultivated over a five-year period spent in Las Vegas. There, she was recognised for the great performer she was, appearing with people such as Duke Ellington, Sammy Davis Jnr., Lou Rawls, Robert Goulet (and the list goes on). This period set the mould of a very versatile singer, performer and actress.

A trip to Australia in the early 70s paved the way to an extensive, successful tour of South East Asia. The demand was such that she took in Indonesia, Taiwan, Bangkok, the Philippines and Hong Kong. A trail of rave reviews remained in her wake, wherever she performed. Hong Kong took her to heart. A weekly television show Just Delilah followed amidst modelling assignments and a film. Delilah's desire to return to her favourite country, Australia, was fulfilled when she returned to play in the stage production The Wiz. It was around that time that Delilah decided to make Sydney her home. She signed on with Robie Porter and released some singles on his label. Her version of 'My Guy'' was also released in NZ.

This tall, slim and sensuous lady appeared regularly on every major national television show, such as Bert Newton's Good Morning Australia, Dave Allen's Live across Australia and many more. Her voice and character, her ability as a performer were welcomed for the variety and strength they transmitted to an audience. At the time Delilah made a big hit in the disco scene and became firmly established on the club circuit, topped by nomination as the Queen of Disco, which highlights the fact that she was a very talented and versatile lady. Delilah also performed in Tokyo at the World Popular Song Festival 1979, where she wooed the audience with her great performance of the song "Here and Now", winning the Most Outstanding Performance Award as well as the Most Attractive Female Performer Award.

Since then and up until her death Delilah had paid her dues, and proved herself to be worthy of being noted by many, far and wide. On all levels her professionalism, her voice, her truly talented personality had been proving itself to audiences on all levels. Delilah's stage presentation was truly in the style of the greats, and that's why in 1990 John Singleton, David Hollins and Mike Gordon saw her as the lady for their five million dollar advertising campaign for Campbell's Cash and Carry though, once again it was Delilah's wit and humour that added that bit extra. This highly successful campaign had increased her value as an asset to any organisation which employed her diverse talents. Delilah died in 2018.




SINGLES
''My Guy / Leave Me'' 1977 Miracle
''Where Is The Love'' 1978 Wizard
''Where Is The Love / My Guy (New Version)'' 1978 Miracle
''Sitting On The Edge Of The Ocean / Don't You Walk That Way'' 1980 Airborne






6 comments:

  1. Amazing Delilah..RIP

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  2. Amazing voice and performer. I remember her first cabaret be date wads with our band at the Ventral Coast Leagues Club.

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  3. Amazing voice and performer. I remember her first cabaret date in Australia was with our band for 2 nights at the Central Coast Leagues Club, Gosford. Very saddened to hear of her passing.
    Dennis Ian Patterson

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  4. She often worked for the agent Mauri Cameron and he would hire me to supply sound and also mix for her. She had a terrific three piece band at the time and was always professional and fun to work for. RIP Delilah.

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  5. Met her & sat at her table with some of her friends at a pub near the SCG re Sydney cricket ground. She loved characters. Had a few beers & sang a Sinatra song was always welcome at her table after that. God Bless her in heaven.

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  6. One of my great memories of Delilah was taking her to see Carmen at the Sydney Opera House.

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