Maxine Daniels (2 November 1930 – 20 October 2003) was an English jazz singer who achieved notability in the post-war era.
Early life
Daniels was born Gladys Lynch in
Stepney, London, an elder sister of singer and entertainer,
Kenny Lynch.
[ Obituary, Thedeadrockstarsclub.com; accessed 5 December 2011.] She was one of thirteen children.
Career
Her first recognition as a singer came from winning a local talent contest, at the age of 14, in a Stepney cinema.
[ 'Encyclopedia of Popular Music' in Oxford Reference] Local recognition led to a first singing job with a semi-professional band led by a
Canning Town grocer,
until another talent competition organised by the
Daily Sketch[ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography - Maxine Daniels, singer by Val Wilmer] and sponsored by bandleader Ted Heath.
A long residency (1954–56)
with bandleader Denny Boyce followed at The Orchid Room in Purley.
At Boyce's suggestion, she changed her stage name: through their regular
Radio Luxembourg broadcasts, she gained a wider audience, and the opportunity to record for the Oriole label.
Personal life
She married Charlie Daniels in 1950, and had they had a daughter, Hazel Annette. Charlie died in 1988.
In the late 1950s, Maxine shared a mutual attraction with actor
Sean Connery, whom she met while performing at a theatre. Connery purportedly made a pass at her, but was informed she was already happily married with a daughter.
Maxine Daniels died in
Romford in 2003, aged 72. She was survived by her daughter and two grandsons.
Discography
-
Coffee Bar Calypso (Oriole, 1957)
[ Maxine Daniels - Discography on 45cat.com]
-
A Foggy Day (Oriole, 1957)
-
I Never Realised (Oriole, 1958)
-
Somebody Else Is Taking My Place (Oriole, 1958) with Denny Boyce & His Orchestra
-
When It's Springtime in the Rockies (Oriole, 1958) with Denny Boyce & His Orchestra
-
Passionate Summer (Oriole, 1958)
-
Pete Corrigan and His Band of Hope (CBH, 1984) featuring Maxine Daniels
[ Maxine Daniels - Discography on Discogs]
-
The Magic of Maxine Daniels... Every Night About This Time (Calligraph, 1986)
-
A Pocketful of Dreams (Calligraph, 1987)
-
From the Heart (Calligraph, 1993)
-
The Memory of Tonight (Calligraph, 1996)
External links
