Debra Byrd (July 19, 1951 – March 5, 2024) was an American vocalist who worked with

Barry Manilow Barry Manilow ( ; born Barry Alan Pincus on June 17, 1943) is an American singer, songwriter and record producer with a career that spans over sixty years. His hit recordings include "Could It Be Magic", "Looks Like We Made It", "Brandy (Scott ...

in and after Lady Flash and

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan; born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Described as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture over his nearly 70-year ...

, appeared on Broadway, and served as the head vocal coach for ''

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American Music competition, singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle (company), Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It a ...

'' and ''

Canadian Idol ''Canadian Idol'' is a Canadian reality television competition show which aired on CTV, based on the British show '' Pop Idol''. The show was a competition to find the most talented young singer in Canada, and was hosted by Ben Mulroney. Jon Do ...

'', also singing backup for the contestants. Byrd helped with vocals on the Hub Television Series "Majors and Minors". In her later years, she served as vocal coach for ten seasons of ''American Idol'', as well as the short-lived ''

American Juniors ''American Juniors'' is an American reality television singing competition series that was broadcast for one season from June 3 to August 19, 2003, on Fox. The series was a spin-off of ''American Idol'', but with younger contestants. The show ...

'', and all six seasons of ''Canadian Idol''. In late 2006 she helped judge ''Military Idol'', a singing competition where all contestants are members of the U.S. Army. Byrd died on March 5, 2024, at the age of 72.

References

External links

* * ''Allmusic'' entry* * 1951 births 2024 deaths 20th-century African-American women singers 20th-century American singers 20th-century American women singers 21st-century American women American musical theatre actresses Musicians from Cleveland {{US-musician-stub