Biography
Chicago soul vocalist Holly Maxwell launched her performances with the Tourjourettes while still a student at Parker High School. Enrolled in classical training at Chicago Musical College during 1965, she never regarded herself as a soul artist. A contract with Constellation Records halted those studies.
The June 1965 release of "Happiness Will Cost You One Thin Dime" backed with "It's Impossible" set her on a permanent path in music, though the record registered no regional or national traction and moved only locally. Two months afterward Constellation followed with another local success, the graceful "Only When You're Lonely" paired with "Let Him Go for Himself."
At least two further sides appeared on Star Records in 1966: the up-tempo "Philly Barracuda" and "Don't Say You Love Me Until You Do" backed by "Blueberry Hill."
A single 1969 coupling on Curtom Records, "Suffer" backed with "No One Else," proved consequential; Patti Labelle & the Blue Belles recorded "Suffer" for Atlantic that year, Curtis Mayfield later placed the song on his Sweet Exorcist album, and the Impressions had originated "No One Else." In addition to her own Chicago club dates, Maxwell supplied occasional background vocals for Barbara Acklin. She issued one more single in 1970 on Smit-Whit Records, "Never Love Again" backed with "Winter Go Away."
During the 1970s she relocated to California and served as Ike Turner’s stand-in for Tina Turner. While there she operated a club and performed jazz, yet by 1985 had returned to Chicago. She continued working steadily, becoming a regular attraction at Maxwell’s Cafe (unrelated) in Paris, France, and appearing alongside the Fins, Lee "Shot" Williams, Johnny Mars, and guitarist/singer Charles Love. Her nightclub work also extended to London and other European cities.
The June 1965 release of "Happiness Will Cost You One Thin Dime" backed with "It's Impossible" set her on a permanent path in music, though the record registered no regional or national traction and moved only locally. Two months afterward Constellation followed with another local success, the graceful "Only When You're Lonely" paired with "Let Him Go for Himself."
At least two further sides appeared on Star Records in 1966: the up-tempo "Philly Barracuda" and "Don't Say You Love Me Until You Do" backed by "Blueberry Hill."
A single 1969 coupling on Curtom Records, "Suffer" backed with "No One Else," proved consequential; Patti Labelle & the Blue Belles recorded "Suffer" for Atlantic that year, Curtis Mayfield later placed the song on his Sweet Exorcist album, and the Impressions had originated "No One Else." In addition to her own Chicago club dates, Maxwell supplied occasional background vocals for Barbara Acklin. She issued one more single in 1970 on Smit-Whit Records, "Never Love Again" backed with "Winter Go Away."
During the 1970s she relocated to California and served as Ike Turner’s stand-in for Tina Turner. While there she operated a club and performed jazz, yet by 1985 had returned to Chicago. She continued working steadily, becoming a regular attraction at Maxwell’s Cafe (unrelated) in Paris, France, and appearing alongside the Fins, Lee "Shot" Williams, Johnny Mars, and guitarist/singer Charles Love. Her nightclub work also extended to London and other European cities.