Sept. 19: Freda Payne ("Band of Gold") is 65 today.

While best known for her million selling, 1970 hit single, "Band of Gold," Freda Charcelia Payne, born in Detroit, Michigan, has also performed in musicals and acted in movies, and briefly was the host of her own TV talk show. Freda is the older sister of former Supremes member, Scherrie Payne.

As a teenager, Freda attended the Institute of Musical Arts; she soon began singing radio commercial jingles, and took part in (and won many of) local TV and radio talent shows. In 1963, she moved to New York and worked with many different entertainers, including Quincy Jones, Pearl Bailey, and Bill Cosby.

The next year, her debut album, a jazz recording entitled After the Lights Go Down Low and Much More!!!, was released.  Three years later, she released her second jazz album How Do You Say I Don't Love You Anymore?

In 1970, "Band of Gold",  became an instant pop smash reaching #3 in the US and #1 in the UK; it also gave Payne her first gold record with sales approaching two million.  Other singles included "Deeper and Deeper," "You Brought the Joy," and the Vietnam War protest song "Bring the Boys Home" - her second gold record.

She released three disco albums for Capitol from 1977 to 1979, Stares And Whispers, Supernatural High and Hot. The first one features the disco hit "Love Magnet."



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