Patricia Ann Cole (born October 3, 1946), known professionally as P. P. Arnold, is an American-born British-based

soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...

singer. She began her career in 1965 as an Ikette with the

Ike & Tina Turner Ike & Tina Turner was an American musical duo consisting of husband-and-wife Ike Turner and Tina Turner. From 1960 to 1976, they performed live as the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, supported by the Kings of Rhythm and backing vocalists, the Ikettes. ...

Revue. The following year she relocated to London to pursue a solo career. Arnold enjoyed considerable success in the United Kingdom with her singles "

The First Cut Is the Deepest "The First Cut Is the Deepest" is a 1967 song written by British singer-songwriter Cat Stevens, originally released by P. P. Arnold for her album The First Lady of Immediate, ''The First Lady of Immediate'' in April 1967. Stevens' own version ...

" (1967) and " Angel of the Morning" (1968). Arnold worked extensively with major artists, including the

Small Faces Small Faces were an English Rock music, rock band from London, founded in 1965. The group originally consisted of Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones and Jimmy Winston, with Ian McLagan replacing Winston as the band's keyboardist in 1966 ...

Nick Drake Nicholas Rodney Drake (19 June 1948 – 25 November 1974) was an English singer-songwriter and musician. An accomplished acoustic guitarist, Drake signed to Island Records at the age of twenty while still a student at the University of Cambridg ...

, and

Roger Waters George Roger Waters (born 6 September 1943) is an English musician and singer-songwriter. In 1965, he co-founded the rock band Pink Floyd as the bassist. Following the departure of the group's main songwriter Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became ...

. She continued to record and perform, eventually releasing her album ''The Turning Tide'' in 2017 and her autobiographical album ''The New Adventures of... P.P. Arnold'' in 2019. In addition to her music career, Arnold has been involved in musical theatre and film.

Early life

Arnold was born into a family of

gospel Gospel originally meant the Christianity, Christian message ("the gospel"), but in the second century Anno domino, AD the term (, from which the English word originated as a calque) came to be used also for the books in which the message w ...

singers, and performed as a vocal soloist for the first time when she was four years old. Her family lived in the African-American

Watts Watts is plural for ''watt'', the unit of power. Watts may also refer to: People *Watts (surname), a list of people with the surname Watts Fictional characters *Albie Watts, a fictional character in the British soap opera ''EastEnders'' *Angie ...

neighborhood of

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

. She married early and had two children, Kevin and Debbie. Arnold worked two jobs, one in an office and the other in food manufacturing.

Career

1960s

Arnold credited her friendship from 1964 onwards with

Tina Turner Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock; November 26, 1939 – May 24, 2023) was a singer, songwriter, actress, and author. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Rock 'n' Roll", her vocal prowess, raspy voice, and electrifyin ...

for helping to kick start her ultimately successful singing career and for acting as her mentor. Speaking with

Jools Holland Julian Miles Holland (born 24 January 1958) is an English pianist, bandleader, singer, composer and television presenter. He was an original member of the band Squeeze and has worked with many artists including Marc Almond, Jayne County, To ...

BBC Two BBC Two is a British free-to-air Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom, public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's second flagship channel, and it covers a wide range of subject matte ...

in December 2023 she gave an insight into the loss of Turner. In 1965, Maxine Smith, an ex-girlfriend of her brother had contacted her with an offer. Smith and her friend Gloria Scott had arranged an audition for the three of them to replace the original

Ikettes The Ikettes, originally The Artettes, were a trio (sometimes quartet) of female backing vocalists for the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Despite their origins, the Ikettes became successful artists in their own right. In the 1960s they had hits such a ...

, the dancer/singer troupe that had provided the vocal and dance accompaniments for the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Smith encouraged Arnold, whom she knew to be a singer to attend the audition. The three young women were offered the job on the spot, Smith persuaded Arnold to attend a concert in

Fresno Fresno (; ) is a city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County, California, Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley (California), Central Valley region. It covers a ...

that night before making a final decision. When she arrived home at 6:00 the next morning, Arnold's furious husband hit her. She left him immediately, and after placing her children in the care of her parents, joined the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. As an Ikette, Arnold sang lead on the 1966 single "What'cha Gonna Do (When I Leave You)", backed by

Brenda Holloway Brenda Holloway (born June 26, 1946) is an American soul singer who was a recording artist for Motown Records during the 1960s. Her best-known recordings are the hits " Every Little Bit Hurts", " When I'm Gone", and " You've Made Me So Very H ...

and

Patrice Holloway Patrice Yvonne Holloway (March 23, 1951 – October 3, 2006) was an American soul and bubblegum pop singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the musical trios Josie and the Pussycats, The Ikettes, and The Blackberries. Career Patrice Yv ...

for

Phil Spector Harvey Phillip Spector (December 26, 1939 – January 16, 2021) was an American record producer and songwriter who is best known for pioneering recording practices in the 1960s, followed by his trials and conviction for murder in the 2000s. S ...

's Phi-Dan Records. Arnold sang backing vocals on the Ike Turner produced side of the album ''

River Deep – Mountain High "River Deep – Mountain High" is a song by Ike & Tina Turner released on Philles Records as the title track to their 1966 studio album. Produced by Phil Spector and written by Spector, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. ''Rolling Stone'' ranked ...

''. She also appeared in the 1966 concert film, ''The Big T.N.T Show''. Arnold quit the Ike & Tina Turner Revue in the fall of 1966 after their tour with

the Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for over six decades, they are one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the Album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the band pione ...

in the UK. She remained in London to establish a solo career, with the encouragement of

Mick Jagger Sir Michael Philip Jagger (born 26 July 1943) is an English musician. He is known as the lead singer and one of the founder members of The Rolling Stones. Jagger has co-written most of the band's songs with lead guitarist Keith Richards; Jagge ...

. Arnold noted the difference between how she had been treated in America and how she was received in England, saying, "A young black woman on her own in America in a white environment would not have been treated as well as I was in England." Her friendship with Jagger helped her land a solo contract with

Immediate Records Immediate Records was a British record label, started in 1965 by The Rolling Stones' manager Andrew Loog Oldham and Tony Calder, and concentrating on the London-based blues and R&B scene. History Immediate Records was started in 1965. Signe ...

, a label founded by Rolling Stones manager

Andrew Loog Oldham Andrew Loog Oldham (born 29 January 1944) is an English record producer, talent manager, impresario and author. He was manager and producer of the Rolling Stones from 1963 to 1967, and was noted for his flamboyant style. Early life Oldham's f ...

. Arnold enjoyed several major British hits on Immediate Records, including songs written for her by

Paul Korda Paul Korda (born Paul Kunstler, 1948 – 11 March 2020) was a Singaporean songwriter, singer, musician, and actor. He wrote and performed music from the 1960s onwards, and his songs have been covered by artists such as Roger Daltrey, Dave ...

, who wrote "The Time Has Come" and released the solo album '' The First Lady of Immediate''. She also recorded songs written by

Steve Marriott Stephen Peter Marriott (30 January 1947 – 20 April 1991) was an English actor, musician, guitarist, singer and songwriter. He was a student at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London and appeared in the West End, before taking a r ...

and

Ronnie Lane Ronald Frederick Lane (1 April 1946 – 4 June 1997) was an English musician and songwriter who was the bassist and co-founder of the rock bands Small Faces (1965–69) and Faces (band), Faces (1969–73). Lane formed Small Faces in 1965 afte ...

from labelmates

, who backed her on several recordings; Arnold had a brief romantic liaison with Marriott in 1967. She toured with the Small Faces during 1967–68, made several TV appearances with them, and featured as backing vocalist on two of their biggest hits, "

Itchycoo Park "Itchycoo Park" is a song by English rock band Small Faces, written by Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane. Largely written by Lane, it was among a number of pop songs of the era to make use of flanging, an effect involving, at that time, electro-mec ...

" and "

Tin Soldier Tin soldiers are miniature toy soldiers that are very popular in the world of collecting. They can be bought finished or in a raw state to be hand-painted. They are generally made of pewter, tin, lead, other metals or plastic. Often very e ...

". In 1968 she released the ambitious solo album '' Kafunta'', with orchestral arrangements by

John Paul Jones John Paul Jones (born John Paul; July 6, 1747 – July 18, 1792) was a Scottish-born naval officer who served in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War. Often referred to as the "Father of the American Navy", Jones is regard ...

and including self-penned songs and covers such as " Angel of the Morning" and "

Eleanor Rigby "Eleanor Rigby" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1966 album ''Revolver''. It was also issued on a double A-side single, paired with " Yellow Submarine". Credited to the Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership, the s ...

", Other credits in this period include her duet with

Rod Stewart Sir Roderick David Stewart (born 10 January 1945) is a British singer and songwriter. Known for his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the List of best-selling music artists, best-selling music artists of all time, having sold ...

on the single "Come Home Baby" (produced by Mick Jagger on Immediate Records, with

Ron Wood Ron is a shortening of the name Ronald. Ron or RON may also refer to: Arts and media * Big Ron (''EastEnders''), a TV character * Ron (''King of Fighters''), a video game character *Ron Douglas, the protagonist in '' Lucky Stiff'' played by Joe ...

on guitar,

Keith Richards Keith Richards (born 18 December 1943) is an English musician, songwriter, singer and record producer who is an original member, guitarist, secondary vocalist, and co-principal songwriter of the Rolling Stones. His songwriting partnership wi ...

on bass,

Nicky Hopkins Nicholas Christian Hopkins (24 February 1944 – 6 September 1994) was an English pianist and organist. He performed on many popular and enduring British and American rock music recordings from the 1960s to the 1990s, including on songs recorde ...

on electric piano,

Keith Emerson Keith Noel Emerson (2 November 194411 March 2016) was an English keyboardist, songwriter, composer and record producer. He played keyboards in a number of bands before finding his first commercial success with the Nice in the late 1960s. He be ...

on Hammond organ and the

Georgie Fame Georgie Fame (born Clive Powell; 26 June 1943) is an English R&B and jazz musician. Fame, who had a string of 1960s hits, is still performing, often working with contemporaries such as Alan Price, Van Morrison and Bill Wyman. Fame is the only B ...

Brass Section), as well as

Chris Farlowe Chris Farlowe (born John Henry Deighton, 13 October 1940) is an English rock music, rock, blues and blue-eyed soul singer. He is best known for his hit single "Out of Time (Rolling Stones song), Out of Time" written by Mick Jagger and Keith Ric ...

's version of the

Motown Motown is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. Founded by Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on January 12, 1959, it was incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau ...

standard " Reach Out (I'll Be There)" (with

Albert Lee Albert William Lee (born 21 December 1943) is an English guitarist known for his fingerstyle and hybrid picking technique. Lee has worked, both in the studio and on tour, with many famous musicians from a wide range of genres. He has also m ...

on guitar and

Carl Palmer Carl Frederick Kendall Palmer (born 20 March 1950) is an English drummer. He was a founding member of the supergroups Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Asia, a touring drummer for The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and a founding member of Atomic Roost ...

on drums). Her first backing band, the Blue Jays, had been inherited from American soul singer Ronnie Jones and included former

Bluesbreakers John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers were an English blues rock band led by multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter John Mayall. The band has been influential as an incubator for British rock and blues musicians. Many of the best known bands ...

guitarist Roger Dean. This was followed by

the Nice The Nice were an English progressive rock band active in the late 1960s. They blended rock, jazz and classical music. Keyboardist Keith Emerson, bassist Lee Jackson (bassist), Lee Jackson, guitarist David O'List, and drummer Ian Hague ori ...

, whose line-up was Keith Emerson on organ, who had just quit the VIPs (later to be known as

Spooky Tooth Spooky Tooth was a rock band originally formed in Carlisle, England, in 1967. The band was principally active between 1967 and 1974, and re-formed several times in later years. History Prior to Spooky Tooth, four of the band's five founding ...

David O'List David O'List (born 13 December 1948) is an English rock guitarist, vocalist and trumpeter. He has played with The Attack, The Nice, Roxy Music (before being replaced by Phil Manzanera), and Jet (replaced by Ian Macleod). He also briefly dep ...

on guitar, Lee Jackson on bass and Ian Hague on drums. During this period she scored several hits, including the original version of

Cat Stevens Yusuf Islam (born Steven Demetre Georgiou; ), commonly known by his stage names Cat Stevens, Yusuf, and Yusuf / Cat Stevens, is a British singer-songwriter and musician. He has sold more than 100 million records and has more than two billion st ...

' song "

" and " Angel of the Morning", plus the Marriott-Lane song "(If You Think You're) Groovy". After the collapse of Immediate Records in the late 1960s, Arnold signed a production contract with the

Robert Stigwood Organisation RSO Records was a record label formed by rock and roll and musical theatre impresario Robert Stigwood and record executive Al Coury in 1973. The letters "RSO" stood for the Robert Stigwood Organisation. RSO managed the careers of several ma ...

and released two singles on the

Polydor Polydor Limited, also known as Polydor Records, is a British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in ...

label, produced by

Barry Gibb Sir Barry Alan Crompton Gibb (born 1 September 1946) is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. Along with his younger fraternal twin brothers, Robin Gibb, Robin and Maurice Gibb, Maurice, he rose to global fame as a member ...

, but a planned album with Gibb was never completed. Between 1969 and 1970, she recorded eleven songs which were produced by Gibb himself but only two of the songs " Bury Me Down By the River" and "Give a Hand, Take a Hand" were released. In February 1970, she sang harmony vocals on the song "

Born Born may refer to: * Childbirth * Born (surname), a surname (see also for a list of people with the name) * ''Born'' (comics), a comic book limited series Places * Born, Belgium, a village in the German-speaking Community of Belgium * Born, Luxe ...

" which was included on Gibb's debut solo album ''

The Kid's No Good ''The Kid's No Good'' was to have been the debut solo album by British musician Barry Gibb following his departure from the Bee Gees in December 1969. There was no official title given to the album at the time. The line "the kid's no good", whic ...

''.

1970s

In 1970 Arnold moved to the musical stage, appearing alongside

P. J. Proby P. J. Proby (born James Marcus Smith; November 6, 1938) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. Proby recorded the singles " Hold Me", " Somewhere", and " Maria". In 2008, EMI released the greatest hits album '' Best of the EMI Years 19 ...

in the

rock musical A rock musical is a musical theatre work with rock music. The genre of rock musical may overlap somewhat with album musicals, concept albums and song cycles, as they sometimes tell a story through the rock music, and some album musicals and concep ...

Catch My Soul ''Catch My Soul'', also known as ''Santa Fe Satan'', is a 1974 film produced by Jack Good and Richard M. Rosenbloom, and directed by Patrick McGoohan. It was an adaptation of Good's stage musical of the same title, which itself was loosely adap ...

''. She then formed a new backing band that included the future members of Ashton, Gardner and Dyke, plus

Steve Howe Stephen James Howe (born 8 April 1947) is an English musician, best known as the guitarist and backing vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes (band), Yes across three stints since 1970. Born in Holloway, London, Holloway, North London, Howe d ...

, who would soon join

Yes Yes or YES may refer to: * An affirmative particle in the English language; see yes and no Education * YES Prep Public Schools, Houston, Texas, US * Young Eisner Scholars, in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Appalachia, US * Young Ep ...

. During this period she renewed her association with Steve Marriott, recording and touring with his new band

Humble Pie Humble Pie are an English Rock music, rock band formed by Steve Marriott and Peter Frampton in Moreton, Essex, in 1969. They are known as one of the first Supergroup (music), supergroups of the late 1960s and enjoyed success in the early 1970s ...

(''Rock On''), as well as contributing

session musician A session musician (also known as studio musician or backing musician) is a musician hired to perform in a recording session or a live performance. The term sideman is also used in the case of live performances, such as accompanying a reco ...

backing vocals for many notable UK and US recordings including the original 1970 album recording of the rock musical ''

Jesus Christ Superstar ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' is a sung-through rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Loosely based on the Life of Jesus in the New Testament, Gospels' accounts of Passion of Jesus, the Passion, the work interprets ...

'',

's "Poor Boy", and recordings by

Dr. John Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. (November 20, 1941 – June 6, 2019), better known by his stage name Dr. John, was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. His music combined New Orleans blues, jazz, R&B, soul and funk. Active as a session mus ...

Graham Nash Graham William Nash (born 2 February 1942) is a British and American musician, singer and songwriter. He is known for his light tenor voice and for his contributions as a member of the Hollies and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Crosby, Stills ...

Gary Wright Gary Malcolm Wright (April 26, 1943 – September 4, 2023) was an American musician and composer best known for his 1976 hit songs " Dream Weaver" and " Love Is Alive". Wright's breakthrough album, '' The Dream Weaver'' (1975), came after he h ...

Manassas Manassas (), formerly Manassas Junction, is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. The population was 42,772 at the 2020 Census. It is the county seat of Prince William County, although the two are separate jurisdi ...

Nektar Nektar (German for ''nectar'') is an English progressive rock band formed in Hamburg, West Germany in 1969, by guitarist and lead vocalist Roye Albrighton, keyboardist Allan "Taff" Freeman, bassist Derek "Mo" Moore, and drummer Ron Howden. H ...

Jimmy Witherspoon James Witherspoon (August 8, 1920 – September 18, 1997) was an American jump blues and jazz singer. Early life, family and education Witherspoon was born in Gurdon, Arkansas. His father was a railroad worker who sang in local choirs, an ...

Nils Lofgren Nils Hilmer Lofgren (born June 21, 1951) is an American rock musician, recording artist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Along with his work as a solo artist, he has been a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band since 1984, a memb ...

and

Eric Burdon Eric Victor Burdon (born 11 May 1941) is an English singer and songwriter. He was previously the lead vocalist of the rhythm and blues, R&B and Rock music, rock band The Animals and the funk band War (band), War. He is regarded as one of the Br ...

. She toured with

Eric Clapton Eric Patrick Clapton (born 1945) is an English Rock music, rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is regarded as one of the most successful and influential guitarists in rock music. Clapton ranked second in ''Rolling Stone''s l ...

, who also produced a number of unreleased sessions with her; during these sessions she met American bassist Fuzzy Samuels of

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) was a folk rock Supergroup (music), supergroup comprising the American singer-songwriters David Crosby and Stephen Stills and the English-American singer-songwriter Graham Nash. When joined by the Canadian singer-so ...

, and they subsequently became involved romantically and had a son, Kodzo. In 1974 she sang on

Freddie King Freddie King (born Fred Christian; September 3, 1934December 28, 1976), also billed as Freddy King, was an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is considered one of the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar" (along with Albert King a ...

's album ''Burglar''. Feeling out of place in the rapidly changing British music scene of the mid-1970s, Arnold and Samuels returned to her hometown of Los Angeles. While they were living there, Arnold's relationship with Samuels ended; just two weeks after the split, her daughter Debbie was killed in a car accident. After her daughter's death, Arnold withdrew from public life for some time, not re-emerging until 1978. At this time she was reunited with Barry Gibb, who wanted to complete the never-finished solo album for her. In the event, Arnold was able to release these recordings only in 2017, on her album ''The Turning Tide''.

1980s–1990s

In 1981 Arnold returned to the US, moving to

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywood ...

, but returned to England the following year to raise her younger son there. She began working with leading British

reggae Reggae () is a music genre that originated in Jamaica during the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its Jamaican diaspora, diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, "Do the Reggay", was the first ...

band

Steel Pulse Steel Pulse are a roots reggae band from the Handsworth area of Birmingham, England. They originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, and were composed of David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals), and Ro ...

and returned to the charts in both the UK and Australia on the hit 1983 cover 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 2 ...

"Respect Yourself", recorded with British

electropop Electropop is a popular music fusion genre combining elements of the electronic and pop styles. It has been described as a variant of synth-pop with emphasis on a hard electronic sound. The genre was developed in the 1980s and saw a rev ...

group Kane Gang, which reached #21 in Britain and #19 in Australia. In 1984, she returned to the stage in the cast of the musical ''

Starlight Express '' Starlight Express'' is a 1984 musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. It tells the story of a young but obsolete steam engine, Rusty, who races in a championship against modern locomotives of diesel and el ...

'' as Belle the Sleeping Car, after which she worked with a number of noted British acts including

Boy George George Alan O'Dowd (born 14 June 1961), known professionally as Boy George, is an English singer-songwriter and DJ who rose to fame as the lead singer of the pop band Culture Club. He began his solo career in 1987. Boy George grew up in Eltham a ...

as well as working on several film soundtracks. Weeks before beginning a tour with

Billy Ocean Leslie Sebastian Charles (born 21 January 1950), known professionally as Billy Ocean, is a Trinidadian-born British singer and songwriter. Between 1976 and 1988, he had a series of hit songs in the UK and internationally. After releasing sev ...

, her legs were badly injured in a car accident. She went ahead with the Ocean tour, at first appearing on crutches, but her injuries eventually forced her to leave the tour after ten weeks. Without a record contract and unable to play live, Arnold survived by doing sessions for advertising

jingle A jingle is a short song or tune used in advertising and for other commercial uses. Jingles are a form of sound branding. A jingle contains one or more hooks and meanings that explicitly promote the product or service being advertised, usually ...

s. In 1986 she returned to the rock scene, featuring prominently as a backing vocalist on

Peter Gabriel Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950) is an English singer, songwriter, musician, and human rights activist. He came to prominence as the original frontman of the rock band Genesis. He left the band in 1975 and launched a solo career wit ...

's worldwide hit "

Sledgehammer A sledgehammer is a tool with a large, flat, massive, often metal head, attached to a long wooden or solid handle. The long handle is combined with a heavy head which allows the sledgehammer to pick up momentum during a swing and applying a large ...

". This was followed by a successful collaboration with The Beatmasters on the retro-styled

Acid House Acid house (also simply known as just " acid") is a subgenre of house music developed around the mid-1980s by DJs from Chicago. The style is defined primarily by the squelching sounds and basslines of the Roland TB-303 electronic bass synt ...

hit "Burn It Up", which reached #14 in Britain in October 1988, and became her third hit to spend 10 weeks or more on the UK Singles Chart. "Burn It Up" was included on the Beatmasters' album '' Anywayawanna''. During the late 1980s and 1990s Arnold resumed an active career as a session vocalist, and her credits in this period included

The KLF The KLF (also known as the Justified Ancients of Mu Mu, the JAMs, the Timelords and other names) are a British electronic band who originated in Liverpool and London in the late 1980s. Scottish people, Scottish musician Bill Drummond (alias Ki ...

("What Time Is Love?", "3 A.M Eternal"),

Nina Hagen Catharina "Nina" Hagen (; born 11 March 1955) is a German singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her theatrical vocals and rise to prominence during the punk and Neue Deutsche Welle movements in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She is ...

(''

Amused to Death ''Amused to Death'' is the third studio album by English musician Roger Waters, released 7 September 1992 on Columbia. Produced by Waters and Patrick Leonard, it was mixed in QSound to enhance its spatial feel. The album features Jeff Beck o ...

''), and

Graham Parker Graham Thomas Parker (born 18 November 1950) is an English singer-songwriter, who is best known as the lead singer of the British band Graham Parker & the Rumour. Life and career Early career (1960s–1976) Parker was born in Hackney, East L ...

. In 1989 she reunited with her old friend Steve Marriott to record his solo album ''30 Seconds to Midnite'', which proved to be their final collaboration; Marriott died in a house fire in 1991. She then worked with the UK Hardcore group Altern 8 on their single "E-Vapor-8" in 1992, and was featured in the video. In 1994, she joined the cast of the award-winning musical ''

Once on This Island ''Once on This Island'' is a coming-of-age one-act stage musical with a book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty. It is based on the 1985 novel ''My Love, My Love; or, The Peasant Girl'' by Rosa Guy, a Caribbean-set retel ...

'' as

Erzulie Erzulie (sometimes spelled Erzili or Èzili) is a family of loa, or spirits, in Vodou. Overview The Erzulie is a family of loa that are often associated with water (fluidity), femininity, and feminine bodies. They are one of the only group of ...

, beautiful Goddess of Love. While the production was playing in

Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands (county), West Midlands, within the wider West Midlands (region), West Midlands region, in England. It is the Lis ...

she met leading UK band

Ocean Colour Scene Ocean Colour Scene (often abbreviated to OCS) is an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1989. They have had five top 10 albums, including a number one in 1997. They have also achieved seventeen top 40 singles and six top 10 singles to d ...

, one of the new wave of latter-day

mod Mod, MOD or mods may refer to: Places * Modesto City–County Airport, Stanislaus County, California, US Arts, entertainment, and media Music * Mods (band), a Norwegian rock band * M.O.D. (Method of Destruction), a band from New York City, US * ...

groups who (like their mentor

Paul Weller John William Weller (born 25 May 1958), better known as Paul Weller, is an English singer-songwriter and musician. Weller achieved fame in the late 1970s as the guitarist and principal singer and songwriter of the rock band the Jam, alongside ...

), idolised the Small Faces. In 1995 Arnold joined forces with

Primal Scream Primal Scream are a Scottish rock music, rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie (vocals) and Jim Beattie (musician), Jim Beattie (guitar). The band's current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes (guitar), Simon ...

to record a blistering cover version of the Small Faces' song "Understanding", the opening track of the various artists Small Faces tribute album ''Long Agos and Worlds Apart''. Following her earlier meeting with

with whom Arnold would eventually form a close friendship she appeared on their 1997 album "Marchin Already" which reached Number 1 in the UK album charts lending backing vocals to single " Travellers Tune" and duet lead vocals alongside Simon Fowler on 1998 single " It's a Beautiful Thing".

2000s

Arnold joined forces with

Chaz Jankel Charles Jeremy "Chaz" Jankel (born 16 April 1952) is an English musician and songwriter. In a music career spanning more than 50 years, he came to prominence in the late 1970s as the guitarist and keyboardist of the rock band Ian Dury and the ...

, former pianist with

Ian Dury and the Blockheads Ian or Iain is a name of Scottish Gaelic origin, which is derived from the Hebrew given name (Yohanan, ') and corresponds to the English name John. The spelling Ian is an Anglicization of the Scottish Gaelic forename ''Iain''. This name is a popu ...

. This was followed by an invitation to tour widely with Roger Waters. She was a backup vocalist on his 1999–2002 tour '' In the Flesh'' (also on the CD and DVD of the same name), as well as the 2006–2008 tour, '' Dark Side of the Moon Live''. Her version of "

" was featured in the soundtrack of the 2012 movie ''

Seven Psychopaths ''Seven Psychopaths'' is a 2012 satirical crime comedy-drama film directed, written, and co-produced by Martin McDonagh and starring Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, and Christopher Walken, with Tom Waits, Abbie Cornish, Olga ...

''. In 2001 Arnold released her full Immediate Records discography on the album '' The First Cut (The Immediate Anthology)''. It includes her famous albums ''The First Lady of Immediate'' and ''Kafunta'' in addition to several singles. A chance encounter at a party led to

Blow Monkeys The Blow Monkeys are a British pop band formed in 1981. Their first single, "Live Today Love Tomorrow", was released in 1982. They subsequently enjoyed a successful career with several hit singles and albums throughout the 1980s before splitt ...

frontman Dr Robert on their 2007 album ''Five in the Afternoon''. In 2009 she toured the UK with

Geno Washington Geno Washington (born William Francis Washington; December 21, 1943, in Evansville, Indiana) is an American R&B singer who released five albums with the Ram Jam Band between 1966 and 1969, and eight solo albums beginning in 1976. Background ...

and Jimmy James on the Flying Music 'This Is Soul Tour' and has since toured around the UK on her own. In 2012 she toured the UK with

Maddy Prior Madeleine Edith Prior MBE (born 14 August 1947) is an English folk rock singer, best known as the lead vocalist of Steeleye Span. She was born in Blackpool and moved to St Albans in her teens. Her father, Allan Prior, was co-creator of the p ...

Jerry Donahue Jerry Donahue (born September 24, 1946, Manhattan, New York City) is an American guitarist and producer primarily known for his work in the British folk rock scene as a member of Fotheringay and Fairport Convention as well as being a member of ...

Dave Swarbrick David Cyril Eric Swarbrick (5 April 1941 – 3 June 2016) was an English traditional folk musician and songwriter and one of the greatest fiddlers in the world. He was one of the most highly regarded musicians produced by the second Bri ...

, and

Thea Gilmore Thea Eve Gilmore (born 25 November 1979), also known as Afterlight, is an English singer-songwriter. She has released more than twenty albums since her 1998 debut, '' Burning Dorothy''. She has had three top 40 entries on the UK Albums Chart an ...

. In 2013 Arnold participated in the project ''The Band of Sisters'' with David Mindel, a British songwriter, jingle writer and composer of music for film and television. It brought together Arnold, Mim Grey,

Tessa Niles Tessa Margaret Niles ( ''née'' Webb; born 27 January 1961) is an English singer, best known as a backing singer for a wide variety of contemporary artists. She began her professional singing career in 1979. Early life and career Niles began h ...

, Lynda Hayes, Stevie Lange and Mandy Bell on the album called ''Issues''. In 2015 Arnold embarked on her first solo tour in Cape Town, South Africa. Arnold was then featured in the ''Small Faces'' musical ''All or Nothing'' at the Vault Theater Waterloo in which her love affair with

was documented.

2017–present: Return with new solo album

In 2017 P. P. Arnold finally released her Heritage recordings in album. ''The Turning Tide'' is a collection of songs recorded between 1968 and 1970. Produced by Barry Gibb and

, the album was aborted and remained unfinished until 2017. In 2017 she celebrated her 50th Anniversary in the music industry with a fall tour that coincided with the release of ''The Turning Tide''. She also sang backing vocals alongside Madeline Bell, for the first track "Woo Sé Mama" on Paul Weller's album "A Kind Revolution" released May 2017. In 2018 Arnold went on two tours in Australia: in May she went on first ever solo tour of Australia and New Zealand backed by Tim Rogers, the front man for the rock band

You Am I You Am I are an Australian power pop band, fronted by its lead singer-songwriter and guitarist, Tim Rogers. They formed in December 1989 and are the first Australian band to have released three successive albums that have each debuted at the ...

, and Davey Lane and

Rusty Hopkinson Russell Keith "Rusty" Hopkinson is an Australian rock musician and record label owner. He joined alternative rockers, You Am I, in 1993 on drums, percussion and backing vocals. He had previously been a member of the Bamboos (1986–87) and Kry ...

, also members of the band; in November she returned to Australia for the second tour, The Return of PP Arnold, where she performed with You Am I once again with James Black & The Wolfgramm Sisters. she also was a special guest on the

RocKwiz ''RocKwiz'' is an Australian television live music trivia quiz show, focused on rock music and featuring different guest artist musicians who perform live in each episode. The show was co-created by Brian Nankervis, Peter Bain-Hogg, and Ken C ...

Tour 2019, where she performed with Rockwiz Orchestra. In August 2019, Arnold released her fourth solo album ''The New Adventures of...P. P. Arnold''. The album was recorded and produced by life-long P. P. enthusiast, OCS star and

band guitarist

Steve Cradock Stephen Cradock (born 22 August 1969) is an English guitarist, most notable for playing in the rock group Ocean Colour Scene. Cradock also plays the guitar in Paul Weller's band, having appeared on all of Weller's solo records following his se ...

at his Kundalini Studio in Devon, and follows on—after a 51-year gap – from the singer's first two solo albums on

, ''The First Lady of Immediate'' and ''Kafunta'', as well as a more recent compilation of previously unreleased material from the late '60s and '70s, ''The Turning Tide''. The album spans from classic orchestral soul to house music, ending with a 10-minute reading of

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 ...

's poem "The Last Thoughts On Woody Guthrie". Arnold explained: "I've got this huge catalogue of records I've sung on, but I have only released two albums – and they've stood the test of time." In October 2019, Arnold toured the UK to support the album. On 8 May 2020,

The Fratellis The Fratellis ( ) are a Scottish rock band from Glasgow, formed in 2005. The band consists of three unrelated members, who perform under pseudonyms: lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Fratelli, bassist Barry Fratelli, and drummer Mince Fratelli ...

released their single "Strangers In The Street" on which Arnold performed lead vocals. In 2024, Arnold released a live album, Live In Liverpool.

Personal life

Arnold became pregnant at the age of 15 which resulted in her first marriage. She had two children, Kevin and Debbie, with her husband, who was abusive, and she left him to become an Ikette while her mother cared for her children. Her daughter Debbie died in the mid-1970s in a car accident. Arnold married her second husband, Jim Morris, at Guildford Town Hall in Surrey in 1968.

was the best man at their wedding. Morris worked for

Robert Stigwood Robert Colin Stigwood (16 April 1934 – 4 January 2016) was an Australian-born British-resident music entrepreneur, film producer, and impresario, best known for managing musicians such as Cream, Andy Gibb, and the Bee Gees; theatrical produc ...

as a driver and assistant. Arnold met him through

Kim Gardner Kim Gardner (27 January 1948 in Dulwich, London – 24 October 2001 in Los Angeles) was an English musician. He was part of the British Invasion of the US during the 1960s, and recorded more than thirty albums during his music career. E ...

. They divorced after two years, but remained friends. Arnold has a son, Kodzo, from her relationship with musician

Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuel Calvin Samuel, known as Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuel, is an Antiguan-born musician best known for his bass playing in the 1970s with Stephen Stills, Manassas, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and others. He has often been credited as "Samuels", with an ...

. Kodzo is musical director for

Jessie J Jessica Ellen Cornish (born 27 March 1988), known professionally as Jessie J, is an English singer and songwriter. Born and raised in London, she began her career on stage, aged 11, with a role in the West End musical '' Whistle Down the Wind ...

and

Jess Glynne Jessica Hannah Glynne (born 20 October 1989) is a British singer. She rose to prominence in 2014 as a featured artist on the singles " Rather Be" by Clean Bandit and " My Love" by Route 94, both of which reached number one on the UK Singles C ...

. He is credited as a songwriter on Arnold's 2019 album, ''The New Adventures of... P. P. Arnold''.

Discography

Studio albums

* '' The First Lady of Immediate'' (1968) * ''Kafunta'' (1968) * ''Five in the Afternoon'' – Dr. Robert & P. P. Arnold (2007) * ''The Turning Tide'' (2017, recorded late 1960s to early 1970s) * ''The New Adventures of... P. P. Arnold'' (2019)

Compilations

* ''P. P. Arnold / Chris Farlowe'' (1976) * ''P. P. Arnold Greatest Hits'' (1977) * ''Chris Farlowe / P. P. Arnold : Legendary'' (1979) * ''Angel...'' (1986) * ''The P. P. Arnold Collection'' (1988) * ''Kafunta – The First Lady of Immediate: Plus'' (1988) * ''The First Cut'' (1998) * ''The Best Of'' (1999) * ''Rod Stewart 1964–1969'' (2000) - Rod Stewart - "Come Home Baby" * ''The First Cut (The Immediate Anthology)'' (2001) * ''A Little Misunderstood: The Sixties Sessions'' (2001) - Rod Stewart - "Come Home Baby" * ''Can I Get a Witness'' (2001) - Rod Stewart & The Steampacket - "Come Home Baby" * ''Immediate Pleasure'' (2002) - Various Artists - compilation album of Immediate Records with the song "Come Home Baby" * ''Angel of the Morning'' (2006) * ''The Best of P. P. Arnold - The First Cut Is the Deepest'' (2006) * ''The Best of P. P. Arnold'' (2007) * ''P. P. Arnold'' (2008)

Singles

Charting singles

Other appearances

*"What'cha Gonna Do (When I Leave You)" (1966) – The Ikettes – lead vocals *''

'' (1966) – Ike & Tina Turner – backing vocals *"

" (1967) –

– backing vocals *'' The Art of Chris Farlowe'' (1967) – Chris Farlowe's Thunderbirds – with

and

*''

'' (1970 album) *''

Looking On ''Looking On'' is the third studio album by the English rock band the Move, released in the UK in December 1970. The album is their first to feature Jeff Lynne, their first containing entirely original compositions, and the first on the Fly l ...

'' (1970) –

The Move The Move were a British Rock music, rock band formed in Birmingham in 1965. They scored nine Top 40, top 20 UK singles in five years, but were among the most popular British bands not to find any real success in the United States. For most of ...

– backing vocals with

Doris Troy Doris Troy (born Doris Elaine Higginsen; January 6, 1937 – February 16, 2004) was an American R&B singer and songwriter, known to her fans as "Mama Soul". Her biggest hit was " Just One Look", a top 10 hit in 1963. Life and career She was ...

on "Feel Too Good" *''Rock On'' (1971) –

, with the Soul Sisters, Doris Troy and

Claudia Lennear Claudia Lennear (born Claudia Joy Offley; 1946) is an American soul singer and educator. Lennear began her performing with the Superbs before becoming an Ikette in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. She was also a background vocalist for various act ...

*''

Bryter Layter ''Bryter Layter'' is the second studio album by English folk singer-songwriter Nick Drake. Recorded in 1970 and released on 5 March 1971 by Island Records, it was his last album to feature backing musicians, as his next and final studio album, ...

'' (1971) –

– chorus with Doris Troy on "Poor Boy" *'' The Sun, Moon & Herbs'' (1971) –

– chorus with

, Doris Troy,

Shirley Goodman Shirley Mae Goodman (June 19, 1936 – July 5, 2005) was an American R&B singer, best known as one half of Shirley & Lee, a 1950s duo. Later in her career, she had a resurgence as part of the group Shirley and Company with the disco hit " Sh ...

Tami Lynn Tami Lynn (born Gloria Jean Brown; January 25, 1939 – June 26, 2020) was an American soul singer. She scored a Top Ten hit on the UK Singles Chart in 1971 with the song "I'm Gonna Run Away From You". Career Gloria Brown was born in Ger ...

, &

Bobby Whitlock Robert Stanley Whitlock (born March 18, 1948) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. He is best known as a member of the blues-rock band Derek and the Dominos, with Eric Clapton, in 1970–71. Whitlock's musical career began with Memph ...

*''

Songs for Beginners ''Songs for Beginners'' is the debut solo studio album by English singer-songwriter Graham Nash. Released in May 1971, it was one of four high-profile albums (all charting within the top fifteen) released by each member of Crosby, Stills, Na ...

'' (1971) –

– chorus on "Military Madness" *''

Footprint Footprints are the impressions or images left behind by a person walking or running. Hoofprints and pawprints are those left by animals with hooves or paws rather than feet, while "shoeprints" is the specific term for prints made by shoes. The ...

'' (1971) –

– with

George Harrison George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician, singer and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Culture ...

Klaus Voormann Klaus Otto Wilhelm Voormann (born 29 April 1938) is a German graphic artist, artist, musician, and record producer. Voormann was the bassist for Manfred Mann from 1966 to 1969, and performed as a session musician on a host of recordings, includ ...

, Mick Jones, Alan White, Doris Troy,

Nanette Newman Nanette Newman (born 29 May 1934) is an English actress and author. She appeared in nine films directed by her husband Bryan Forbes, including ''Séance on a Wet Afternoon'' (1964), ''The Whisperers'' (1967), '' Deadfall'' (1968), ''The Stepfor ...

, etc. *'' Down the Road'' (1973) – Stephen Stills' Manassas *'' Down to Earth'' (1974) –

*'' Cry Tough'' (1976) –

*''

Playmates Playmates or Playmate may refer to: * ''Playboy'' Playmate, a female model featured in the centerfold/gatefold of ''Playboy'' Film and television * ''Playmates'' (1915 film), directed by Mauritz Stiller * ''Playmates'' (1918 film), starring O ...

'' (1977) –

*''

The King of Elfland's Daughter ''The King of Elfland's Daughter'' is a 1924 fantasy novel by Anglo-Irish writer Lord Dunsany. It is widely recognized as one of the most influential and acclaimed works in all of fantasy literature.; pp 1124 Although the novel faded into re ...

'' (1977) – Bob Johnson and Peter Knight – sings "Witch" * "

Will You Love Me Tomorrow "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", sometimes known as "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. It was first recorded in 1960 by the Shirelles for their album '' Tonight's the Night''; released as a singl ...

" (1980) duet with

Andy Gibb Andrew Roy Gibb (5 March 1958 – 10 March 1988) was an English singer and songwriter. He was the younger brother of Barry Gibb, Barry, Robin Gibb, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, musicians who had formed the Bee Gees during the late 1950s. Andy G ...

*'' Electric Dreams'' (1984) – lead vocals on "Electric Dreams" *'' So'' (1986) –

– chorus on "

" and " Big Time" *''Shining, Real Life, Real Answers'' (1987) ''- The Dolphin Brothers'' *''30 Seconds to Midnite'' (1989) –

*''

Street A street is a public thoroughfare in a city, town or village, typically lined with Building, buildings on one or both sides. Streets often include pavements (sidewalks), pedestrian crossings, and sometimes amenities like Street light, streetligh ...

'' (1991) –

* 3am Eternal (1991) – KLF – vocals on the 'Stadium House' version *''

Amused To Death ''Amused to Death'' is the third studio album by English musician Roger Waters, released 7 September 1992 on Columbia. Produced by Waters and Patrick Leonard, it was mixed in QSound to enhance its spatial feel. The album features Jeff Beck o ...

'' (1992) –

– chorus on four songs *''Long Agos And Worlds Apart – A Tribute To the Small Faces'' (1995) – Various Artists – lead vocals on "Understanding" with

*'' Portraits of Bob Dylan'' (1999) –

– lead vocals on "Well, Well, Well" *''

Standing on the Shoulder of Giants ''Standing on the Shoulder of Giants'' is the fourth studio album by English rock band Oasis, released on 28 February 2000. It was the band's first album under their new record label Big Brother Recordings. In the year preceding the album's re ...

'' (2000) –

Oasis In ecology, an oasis (; : oases ) is a fertile area of a desert or semi-desert environment In the Flesh – Live IN, In or in may refer to: Dans * India (country code IN) * Indiana, United States (postal code IN) * Ingolstadt, Germany (license plate code IN) * In, Russia, a town in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast Businesses and organizations * Independen ...

'' (2000) – Roger Waters *'' Flickering Flame: The Solo Years Volume 1'' (2002) – Roger Waters *''Five in the Afternoon'' (2007) – Dr. Robert *''

'' (2012) – Original Soundtrack – features "The First Cut Is the Deepest"

References

External links

* * * *
P. P. Arnold
at 45Cat.com {{DEFAULTSORT:Arnold, P. P. 1946 births African-American women singers American expatriates in England American women pop singers American soul musicians Ike & Tina Turner members Immediate Records artists Living people Singers from Los Angeles 21st-century American women singers 21st-century American singers Northern soul musicians