Linda Jones

R&B vocalist Linda Jones cultivated a devoted following through her intense, church-rooted approach and soaring vocal flourishes, and soul enthusiasts continue to honor her legacy even though her trajectory ended abruptly when she reached just 27. Born December 14, 1944, in Newark, New Jersey, Jones grew up inside a household saturated with gospel traditions; by age six she was already singing alongside her brothers and sisters in the family ensemble known as the Jones Singers. During her teenage years she shifted into rhythm-and-blues performance and, in 1963, issued her debut solo single—a version of “Lonely Teardrops” credited to Linda Lane—that disappeared without notice.

Her path brightened after an introduction to George Kerr, the producer and songwriter formerly associated with Little Anthony & the Imperials. The initial pair of Kerr-helmed sides, one on Atco and the other on Blue Cat, likewise failed to register, yet in 1967 Jones secured a contract with Loma Records, Warner Bros.’ rhythm-and-blues subsidiary. Her opening release for the imprint, “Hypnotized,” broke through commercially, climbing to number 21 on the Pop Singles chart and number four on the Rhythm & Blues listing. That success triggered the appearance of her self-titled debut album, after which the follow-up “What’ve I Done (To Make You Mad)” reached the R&B Top Ten while stalling at number 61 pop; the 1968 release “Give My Love a Try” performed even more modestly, peaking at number 34 R&B and number 93 pop. Although “Hypnotized” showcased a comparatively restrained manner, later recordings displayed the full force of her melismatic delivery, earning deep appreciation from soul collectors—particularly Northern soul enthusiasts in the U.K.—while remaining too intense for consistent Top 40 acceptance, so Jones never again scored a substantial pop success.

Warner Bros. discontinued Loma in 1968 and moved Jones briefly to its main roster for a single release before she became an independent artist once more. She next recorded briefly for Neptune Records, the fledgling company founded by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. In 1971 she signed with Turbo Records, an affiliate of Sylvia Robinson’s All Platinum operation, and the following year her impassioned, gospel-tinged interpretation of Jerry Butler’s “For Your Precious Love” returned her to the charts after a four-year absence, reaching number 15 R&B and number 72 pop. The resurgence proved fleeting. Long afflicted by diabetes, Jones maintained a rigorous touring schedule to promote the single and had been scheduled for dual performances at New York’s Apollo Theater on March 14, 1972. Following the afternoon show she returned to her mother’s Newark residence for an evening meal and rest, only to be discovered in a diabetic coma from which she never recovered. Turbo issued two albums after her passing, and in 2014 Real Gone Music compiled The Complete Atco-Loma-Warner Brothers Recordings, gathering most of her 1960s output.