Biography
Europeans chasing elusive American soul recordings frequently bypass homegrown talent flourishing right under their noses, and Margo & the Marvettes supply a textbook illustration. Fronted by Margo Burns—known as Northern Ireland's First Lady of Song—the five-piece lineup featured Ron Chimes on keyboards, Trevor Burns on guitar, Carson Boyd on drums, Brian Hudlestone on tenor sax, and Les McSheffery on bass guitar. Success arrived only after a prolonged wait, during which Burns cycled through more aliases than most performers encounter.
Originating from Donaghadee County in Northern Ireland, she adopted the surname Burns upon marrying the group's guitarist in the 1960s, the same period the band was taking shape; she had enlisted at sixteen. Early bookings placed them alongside touring headliners, predominantly country acts such as Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison, an exposure that shaped her distinctive blend of pop-soul and Southern country—unexpected from an Irish vocalist. The ensemble relocated its base to London in 1963 and pursued recording opportunities with full commitment.
Steady demand for their live performances kept the group solvent, yet commercial breakthroughs remained elusive. Three singles issued by Parlophone beginning in 1964 failed to register, prompting the label to rebrand her Sherry Cantrell, apparently to avoid any perception of nepotism tied to her marriage. Around 1966 Pye Records issued further sides, among them the near-miss "When Love Slips Away," for which she appeared briefly as Liza Dulittle. While studio efforts foundered, the act stayed busy on the road, particularly in Germany, sharing stages with visiting American soul artists including the Drifters, the Orlons, and Rufus Thomas.
A subsequent Deram Records session credited her as Maggie Brown produced no tangible results. After Margo & the Marvettes dissolved in 1972, she and Trevor continued as the duo Take Two, logging six years of international dates. Additional outings followed for a couple of years under the name Margo & Trevor with the Rock & Roll Circus. The couple returned to Belfast in 1980 after nearly two decades of constant touring.
During this comparative lull Burns finally scored her first hit, "Behind the Footlights," a success confined to Europe and unnoticed in the United States. In 1987 she secured a seasonal residency on Mallorca that extended through more than thirteen consecutive summers. At least two albums, Straight From the Heart and Full Circle, document her later work, and retirement remains off the table.
Originating from Donaghadee County in Northern Ireland, she adopted the surname Burns upon marrying the group's guitarist in the 1960s, the same period the band was taking shape; she had enlisted at sixteen. Early bookings placed them alongside touring headliners, predominantly country acts such as Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison, an exposure that shaped her distinctive blend of pop-soul and Southern country—unexpected from an Irish vocalist. The ensemble relocated its base to London in 1963 and pursued recording opportunities with full commitment.
Steady demand for their live performances kept the group solvent, yet commercial breakthroughs remained elusive. Three singles issued by Parlophone beginning in 1964 failed to register, prompting the label to rebrand her Sherry Cantrell, apparently to avoid any perception of nepotism tied to her marriage. Around 1966 Pye Records issued further sides, among them the near-miss "When Love Slips Away," for which she appeared briefly as Liza Dulittle. While studio efforts foundered, the act stayed busy on the road, particularly in Germany, sharing stages with visiting American soul artists including the Drifters, the Orlons, and Rufus Thomas.
A subsequent Deram Records session credited her as Maggie Brown produced no tangible results. After Margo & the Marvettes dissolved in 1972, she and Trevor continued as the duo Take Two, logging six years of international dates. Additional outings followed for a couple of years under the name Margo & Trevor with the Rock & Roll Circus. The couple returned to Belfast in 1980 after nearly two decades of constant touring.
During this comparative lull Burns finally scored her first hit, "Behind the Footlights," a success confined to Europe and unnoticed in the United States. In 1987 she secured a seasonal residency on Mallorca that extended through more than thirteen consecutive summers. At least two albums, Straight From the Heart and Full Circle, document her later work, and retirement remains off the table.