This Woman Will Knock Your Socks Off
For me, discovering Barbara Lynn was like spotting a winged unicorn. A woman — a Black woman — in the 1960s, writing and singing her own material, playing electric guitar left-handed, and rocking out with such swagger? I remember just being floored. And angry! Why wasn’t she better known? Why had I not heard of her until decades after her heyday?
Lynn was born in 1942, and as a kid began performing whenever she had the opportunity, taking her first professional gigs while still a teenager. Eventually, she led her own band, toured with many of the biggest soul artists of the day, and had some of her songs covered by Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, and Otis Redding, among others.
Lynn had one top ten hit in 1962 (#1 on the R&B charts) and several other songs that charted, but her record label never fully committed to promoting her.
When you play these clips, you will really wonder what the f*** they were thinking. She wrote catchy songs with a great groove, had a strong, soulful voice, unique guitar chops, nice stage moves, and was gorgeous without ever cheapening herself.
It wasn’t enough — or perhaps it was too much. This was the day when women were still packaged a certain way, and she did not fit the bill. The music business was still also largely segregated, and Black artists did not get the support that white artists did. Discouraged and with two kids to raise, Lynn semi-retired in the early 70s.
She remained popular in Europe and Japan, touring both after largely being forgotten in the U.S. She returned to the studio in the 90s and 00s, releasing a few albums and touring occasionally, and until recently was still performing in small settings in her hometown of Beaumont, Texas. She just turned 80.
“You’ll Lose a Good Thing” (©1962; performance 1966 on “The Beat”)
Lynn wrote this as a teenager, and when she was 20, it went to the top of the charts. It was one of the first hits by a Black artist to cross over to the mainstream with that level of success. I love her guitar licks and sheer star power.
“Oh Baby, We Got a Good Thing Going” (1964)
The Rolling Stones would cover this a year later. Their version is fun, but her original is better.
“I Feel Alright” (1966)
From the same show as the prior clip of “You’ll Lose a Good Thing.” The guitar duet rocks — the whole thing does. See for yourself.
“I’ll Suffer” (1967 from the album “Here is Barbara Lynn”)
A Blues-based ballad with the classic theme of the mistreated lover. She does it as well as anyone has ever done it.
“You’ll Lose a Good Thing” (2015 live performance)
Here, in her mid-70s, Lynn performs for a small gathering in her backyard on a hot day. It takes her a couple of bars to get fully into the guitar line, but then she picks up steam and turns back the clock.
My thanks to Nicole Brown; Terry Barr; Steve Goldberg; Jeffrey Harvey; Charlie Cole; If Ever You’re Listening; Steven Hale; David Acaster; Alexander B.; Miss Catherine La Grange, spinster; Elizabeth Kaldeck Smith, and anyone else who appreciates under-recognized artists.
Thanks Kevin Alexander, for publishing!
