Kelly Marie

Born Jacqueline McKinnon on 23 October 1957 in Paisley, Scotland, the disco and Hi-NRG performer Kelly Marie first drew widespread attention by taking first place in the British television talent show Opportunity Knocks while still only fifteen. Initial commercial recognition arrived not at home but across the Channel, where her single ‘Who’s The Lady With My Man?’ earned a gold disc in France. Her breakthrough on British soil came in 1980 when ‘Feels Like I’m In Love’ reached the top of the UK singles chart; the track, penned by Ray Dorset, one-time frontman of Mungo Jerry, had been written with Elvis Presley in mind, yet Presley’s death prevented any recording. Subsequent releases such as ‘Loving Just For Fun’, ‘Hot Love’ and ‘Love Trial’ produced only modest chart entries before her mainstream run concluded. During the 1990s she resumed occasional appearances on the club scene, finding receptive audiences among gay Hi-NRG crowds, notably at London’s G.A.Y. venue. Her final release, a version of Billy Fury’s ‘Halfway To Paradise’, appeared in 1989.