Biography
Although Marcella Detroit has never ranked among the most widely recognized figures in popular music, her path stands out for its range, marked by achievements as a solo performer, as one half of Shakespear's Sister, and through extensive live, session, and songwriting work alongside major rock and pop figures. Born Marcy Levy on June 21, 1959, in Detroit, MI, she later adopted the name of her birthplace as her professional moniker. Her initial opportunity arrived in the early '70s when she performed with fellow Detroit native Bob Seger. By the mid-'70s she had joined Eric Clapton's band, serving as a backup vocalist on tour and contributing to albums such as Slowhand and Backless. She also collaborated with Clapton on songwriting, co-authoring the hit single "Lay Down Sally," which reached number three and achieved million-selling status in 1978. After departing the band to launch a solo career, Detroit rejoined Clapton for his Live Aid appearance in the summer of 1985 before settling in Los Angeles. In that period she supplied material for artists including Chaka Khan, Al Jarreau, and Philip Bailey while maintaining a busy schedule as a session vocalist for Aretha Franklin, George Duke, and Bette Midler.
Late in 1988 she teamed with Siobhan Fahey, formerly of Bananarama, to establish Shakespear's Sister. The duo's second single, "You're History," reached the U.K. Top Ten in 1989, as did their debut album Sacred Heart. Their 1992 follow-up Hormonally Yours proved still more successful; its lead single, the moody, melodramatic ballad "Stay," became a worldwide hit, topping the U.K. chart and entering the U.S. Top Five. Although four additional tracks from Hormonally Yours charted in the U.K., among them the Top Ten hit "I Don't Care," Shakespear's Sister disbanded in 1993, prompting Detroit to resume solo work. She joined Elton John for a duet on the staple "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," featured on his Duets collection and later included on her own debut album Jewel, issued the following year. Despite Jewel's more modest commercial performance compared with her Shakespear's Sister output, Detroit remained active through the decade, releasing Feeler in 1996 and Abfab Songs three years later. In 2001 she returned with Dancing Madly Sideways.
Late in 1988 she teamed with Siobhan Fahey, formerly of Bananarama, to establish Shakespear's Sister. The duo's second single, "You're History," reached the U.K. Top Ten in 1989, as did their debut album Sacred Heart. Their 1992 follow-up Hormonally Yours proved still more successful; its lead single, the moody, melodramatic ballad "Stay," became a worldwide hit, topping the U.K. chart and entering the U.S. Top Five. Although four additional tracks from Hormonally Yours charted in the U.K., among them the Top Ten hit "I Don't Care," Shakespear's Sister disbanded in 1993, prompting Detroit to resume solo work. She joined Elton John for a duet on the staple "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," featured on his Duets collection and later included on her own debut album Jewel, issued the following year. Despite Jewel's more modest commercial performance compared with her Shakespear's Sister output, Detroit remained active through the decade, releasing Feeler in 1996 and Abfab Songs three years later. In 2001 she returned with Dancing Madly Sideways.
Albums
Singles
