Biography
Gospel glory appeared destined for Deborah Manning, who might have stepped into the spotlight like a modern-day Cinderella. As a teenager she joined the chorus on the Bar-Kays’ 1967 single “Soul Finger,” an early opportunity that hinted at greater things to come. Three years later, while still an undergraduate at Memphis State University, she was spotted by Isaac Hayes and Al Bell during a 1970 stage production called An Evening of Soul, where her set featured the demanding Sam Cooke classic “A Change Is Gonna Come.” The performance earned her a position at Stax Records as the label groomed her for a recording career, culminating in a featured appearance at the 1972 Wattstax Festival. There she delivered “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” in a stirring showcase that felt like her official introduction to a wider audience. The moment, captured on film and preserved across subsequent album releases, carried every sign of launching a major career. Scholar Rob Bowman later observed that contractual disagreements with Manning’s husband at the time prevented Stax from finalizing a deal, leaving the promising vocalist confined to backup roles on other artists’ sessions. Her talents resurfaced for listeners in 2003 when Ace Records issued Music from the Wattstax Festival and Film, once again highlighting the same standout concert performance.