Faye Adams

Background

She was born in Newark, New Jersey to David Tuell, a gospel singer and a key figure in the Church of God in Christ (Church Of God in Christ).

Career

Early years

Musical career

Having changed Scruggs"s name to Faye Adams, Morris recruited her as a singer in 1952, and signed her to Herald Records. Her first release was Morris"s song "Shake a Hand", which topped the United States Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart for ten weeks in 1953, and made number 22 on the United States popular chart. lieutenant sold one million copies and was awarded a gold disc.

In 1954, Faye had two more Rhythm & Blues chart toppers with "I"ll Be True" (later covered by Bill Haley in 1954, and by a young Jackie DeShannon in 1957) and "lieutenant Hurts Maine to My Heart".

During this period, she left the Morris band and was billed as "Atomic Adams". Adams appeared in the 1955 film Rhythm & Blues Revue.

In 1957 she moved to Imperial Records, but her commercial success diminished. By the late 1950s she was seen as an older recording artist whose time had come and gone, although she continued to record for various smaller labels until the early 1960s.

By 1963 she had retired from the music industry.

She returned to her gospel roots and family life in New Jersey. Musical influence

Alan Freed called Adams the "little gal with the big voice". Adams was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1998.

Achievements

• While performing in Atlanta, Georgia, she was discovered by singer Ruth Brown, who won her an audition with bandleader Joe Morris of Atlantic Records.