Odia Coates
| Odia Coates | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born |
November 13, 1941 Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died |
May 19, 1991 (aged 49) Oakland Medical Center, Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Associated acts | Paul Anka |
Odia Coates (November 13, 1941 – May 19, 1991) was an American singer, best known for her high-profile hits with Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka.
Early life
The daughter of an evangelical minister, Odia Coates was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi. As a young child her family moved to Watts, California, where her father served as pastor in the Beautiful Gates Church Of God In Christ, where she sang in the church choir. She eventually became a member of the Northern California State Youth Choir, co-founded by Edwin Hawkins.
Work with Paul Anka
Coates is best remembered for her duet with Paul Anka, "(You're) Having My Baby", that went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on August 24-September 7, 1974. The two recorded several more Top 10 & Top 20 hits, including 1974's "One Man Woman/One Woman Man" and 1975's "I Don't Like To Sleep Alone" and "(I Believe) There's Nothing Stronger Than Our Love". She recorded "Make It Up To Me in Love", a sequel to "One Man Woman/One Woman Man", with Anka in 1977.
Solo work
She had minor success as a solo artist with the Anka-penned track "You Come And You Go" and a cover of the Electric Light Orchestra song Showdown. Both songs come from her only self-titled solo album released in 1975 by United Artists Records with producer Rick Hall.
Death
Odia Coates died from breast cancer in 1991, aged 49, at Oakland Medical Center following a four-year battle with the disease.[1][2]
References
- ↑ Talevski, Nick (2010). Rock Obituaries - Knocking On Heaven's Door. Omnibus Press. p. 88. ISBN 978-0-85712-117-2.
- ↑ Simmonds, Jeremy (2008). The Encyclopedia of Dead Rock Stars: Heroin, Handguns, and Ham Sandwiches. Chicago Review Press. p. 283. ISBN 978-1-55652-754-8.