Biography
The origins of this vocal trio lay in a core group of experienced backing singers first assembled for Barry Manilow during the earliest phase of his professional trajectory. Lorraine ‘Reparata’ Mazzola, born in Brooklyn, New York, Debra Byrd, born in Cleveland, Ohio, and Ramona Brooks, born in Akron, Ohio, each contributed extensive prior credits when they united for the project. Mazzola had already performed with the Brooklyn College Chorus and with the teenage ensemble Reparata And The Delrons, whose single “Captain Of Your Ship” unexpectedly climbed to number 13 on the UK chart in March 1968; that same year she toured England and remained in London to begin session work before returning to the United States to produce Pat Collins’ CBS news segment. Byrd, whose father had played for the Harlem Globetrotters, founded and sang with the fifty-voice Community Voices Of Faith Choir in high school, later studied music theory at Kent State University, served as musical director of the Black Theatre Workshop, recorded with the Jean Austin Singers, and joined Columbia Records act the Interpreters. Brooks had concentrated on solo nightclub appearances until she joined the original line-up.
Manilow convened the three women precisely as he prepared the tour that would establish him across the United States. After first reaching Mazzola, who resigned from television to resume singing, he proposed reassembling the Delrons; when former members declined, auditions brought Byrd and Brooks aboard under the initial name Flashy Ladies. Clad in black glitter, the singers proved essential to Manilow’s breakthrough promotion of “Mandy.” By 1976 Brooks had resumed her solo career and was succeeded by Monica Burruss. The revised trio remained with Manilow for “Could It Be Magic,” the first of nine chart collaborations that included the US number-one singles “I Write The Songs” and “Looks Like We Made It.”
Manilow secured the group a Polydor Records contract; their album blended original material and standards across multiple styles and yielded the 1976 Billboard-charting single “Street Singin’,” which peaked at number 27 and paid homage to early vocal ensembles. The singers continued supporting Manilow until Burruss departed in 1977 and Muffy Hendricks took her place. With Manilow’s touring schedule reduced, Lady Flash ceased activity the following year.
Mazzola subsequently pursued acting, appearing in the film Dark Before Dawn, and later authored the bestselling book Mafia Kingpin. Byrd continued session work with the Eurythmics and Bob Dylan, while Burruss backed Melanie, Joan Baez and numerous others, becoming the first female vocalist to win the Star Search television competition.
Manilow convened the three women precisely as he prepared the tour that would establish him across the United States. After first reaching Mazzola, who resigned from television to resume singing, he proposed reassembling the Delrons; when former members declined, auditions brought Byrd and Brooks aboard under the initial name Flashy Ladies. Clad in black glitter, the singers proved essential to Manilow’s breakthrough promotion of “Mandy.” By 1976 Brooks had resumed her solo career and was succeeded by Monica Burruss. The revised trio remained with Manilow for “Could It Be Magic,” the first of nine chart collaborations that included the US number-one singles “I Write The Songs” and “Looks Like We Made It.”
Manilow secured the group a Polydor Records contract; their album blended original material and standards across multiple styles and yielded the 1976 Billboard-charting single “Street Singin’,” which peaked at number 27 and paid homage to early vocal ensembles. The singers continued supporting Manilow until Burruss departed in 1977 and Muffy Hendricks took her place. With Manilow’s touring schedule reduced, Lady Flash ceased activity the following year.
Mazzola subsequently pursued acting, appearing in the film Dark Before Dawn, and later authored the bestselling book Mafia Kingpin. Byrd continued session work with the Eurythmics and Bob Dylan, while Burruss backed Melanie, Joan Baez and numerous others, becoming the first female vocalist to win the Star Search television competition.