Biography
Ava Cherry, also known as Black Barbarella, spent her Chicago upbringing immersed in the sounds of Motown along with Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight. A four-year collaboration beginning in 1974 with David Bowie shifted her artistic path permanently. As one-third of a backing vocal group that included Robin Clark and Luther Vandross, she appeared on several of Bowie’s most celebrated recordings and performed with him both live and in the studio through 1978. The two were romantically involved yet sustained a lasting friendship; the association gave her the chance to tour internationally, perform for audiences of 50,000, and socialize with figures such as John Lennon and the Rolling Stones.
Once the partnership ended, Cherry went back to Chicago and, through a mutual acquaintance, met Curtis Mayfield. Curtom/RSO Records issued her debut album, Spend the Night, in a disco-inflected soul style that omitted the harder-edged rock material she had composed. The project underperformed commercially, prompting her return to Bowie’s circle. Her follow-up, Streetcar Named Desire, arrived in 1983 on Capitol Records yet attracted scant attention.
When Luther Vandross’s profile rose sharply, Cherry joined his organization in 1986 and contributed vocals beginning with the Any Love album. Capitol released her next effort, Picture Me, in 1987, though it likewise generated minimal notice or revenue. Alongside Lisa Fischer and Kevin Owens, she helped establish Vandross as a leading presence in urban music; the trio supplied not only background vocals but also polished stepping and dance routines that consistently delighted audiences. In 1997 J-Bird reissued Spend the Night on compact disc.
Once the partnership ended, Cherry went back to Chicago and, through a mutual acquaintance, met Curtis Mayfield. Curtom/RSO Records issued her debut album, Spend the Night, in a disco-inflected soul style that omitted the harder-edged rock material she had composed. The project underperformed commercially, prompting her return to Bowie’s circle. Her follow-up, Streetcar Named Desire, arrived in 1983 on Capitol Records yet attracted scant attention.
When Luther Vandross’s profile rose sharply, Cherry joined his organization in 1986 and contributed vocals beginning with the Any Love album. Capitol released her next effort, Picture Me, in 1987, though it likewise generated minimal notice or revenue. Alongside Lisa Fischer and Kevin Owens, she helped establish Vandross as a leading presence in urban music; the trio supplied not only background vocals but also polished stepping and dance routines that consistently delighted audiences. In 1997 J-Bird reissued Spend the Night on compact disc.
Albums
Singles
