Cynthia Richards (born Sinthia Richards, 1944) is a Jamaican singer whose career began in the 1960s.

Biography

Born in Duhaney Park, Kingston, Jamaica, in 1944, Richards attended the Denham Town Primary School where after impressing teachers with a performance at an end-of-term concert she was encouraged to appear on the

Vere Johns Joseph Vere Everette Johns (28 November 1893–10 September 1966

Talent Show.Larkin, Colin (1998) ''The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae'', Virgin Books, , p. 250-251 While working as a magistrate's clerk, she continued her career, working in the 1960s with Bobby Aitken's Carib Beats band and later the Falcons (with a young

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, and the Mighty Vikings. She recorded her debut single, "How Could I", in 1969, produced by

Clement "Coxsone" Dodd Clement Seymour "Coxsone" Dodd (26 January 1932 – 4 May 2004) was a Jamaican record producer who was influential in the development of ska and reggae in the 1950s, 1960s and beyond. He was nicknamed "Coxsone" at school due to his talent ...

for his

Studio One Studio One or Studio 1 may refer to: * Studio One (software), digital audio workstation software, developed by PreSonus * ''Studio One'' (American TV series), a 1948–1958 American television anthology series * ''Studio One'' (Emirati TV progra ...

label. Although this wasn't a success, it brought her to the attention of

Clancy Eccles Clancy Eccles (9 December 1940 in Dean Pen, St. Mary, Jamaica – 30 June 2005 in Spanish Town, Jamaica)Katz was a Jamaican ska and reggae singer, songwriter, arranger, promoter, record producer and talent scout. Known mostly for his early ...

, who produced "Foolish Fool", which became a major hit in Jamaica. She also recorded as one half of the duo Cynthia & Archie.Thompson, Dave (2002) ''Reggae & Caribbean Music'', Backbeat Books, , p. 343 She moved on to work with several producers, including

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, for whom she recorded "Jungle Fever", "Sentimental Reason", and "Aily I", the latter a hit with UK reggae audiences in 1972. Other producers she worked with included

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and Larry Lawrence, before moving into self-production with singles such as "Mr. Postman", and had further chart success in Jamaica with her version of

The Staple Singers The Staple Singers were an American gospel, soul, and R&B singing group. Roebuck "Pops" Staples (December 28, 1914 – December 19, 2000), the patriarch of the family, formed the group with his children Cleotha (April 11, 1934 – February 21, ...

' "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)". She was voted Top Female Artist of 1973 in Jamaica and toured with Elmo and

Toots and the Maytals The Maytals, known from 1972 to 2020 as Toots and the Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group, one of the best known ska and rocksteady vocal groups. The Maytals were formed in the early 1960s and were key figures in popularizing reggae music. ...

. Later in the 1970s she worked as a backing singer, contributing to

Beres Hammond Beres Hammond OJ (born Hugh Beresford Hammond; 28 August 1955, in Annotto Bay, Saint Mary, Jamaica)Moskowitz, David V. (2006) ''Caribbean Popular Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall'', Greenwood Press, , p. ...

's 1976 album ''Soul Reggae'' and Pat Kelly's 1978 album ''Lonely Man''.Cynthia Richards
at Roots Archives

Discography

*''Foolish Fool'' (1969), Clan Disc (

Trojan Trojan or Trojans may refer to: * Of or from the ancient city of Troy * Trojan language, the language of the historical Trojans Arts and entertainment Music * ''Les Troyens'' ('The Trojans'), an opera by Berlioz, premiered part 1863, part 189 ...

) *''Conversation'' (1970), Clan Disc (Trojan) *''Promises'' (1970), Clan Disc (Trojan) *''Can't Wait'' (1970), Clan Disc (Trojan) *''I Was Just Thinking About You'' (1970), Clan Disc (Trojan) *''United We Stand'' (1970), Pressure Drop (Trojan) *''Stand By Your Man'' (1971), Clan Disc (Trojan) *''Is There A Place in Your Heart For Me'' (1971), GG Records (Trojan) *''Moving On'' (1971), Big Shot *''Aily I'' (1973), Attack (Trojan) *''Sentimental Reason'' (1973), Lord Koos *''If You're Ready Come Go With Me'' (1974) *''Think About Me'' (1974), Cactus *''Keep It in the Family'' (1974), Cactus *''I Shall Not Remove'' (1977), Grove Music

As ''Clancy and Cynthia''

*''Tomorrow'' (1971), Clan Disc (Trojan)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Richards, Cynthia 1944 births Living people Musicians from Kingston, Jamaica 20th-century Jamaican women singers