b. Barbara Lynn Ozen (a.k.a. Barbara Lynn Cumby), 16th January 1942, Beaumont, Texas, U.S.A.
Barbara Lynn was born in Beaumont, Texas, and is an accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Barbara attended the Hebert High School, and learned the piano as a child.
She then found a talent as a guitarist, playing the instrument left handed.
Barbara went on to win several local talent shows, forming her own group, Bobbie Lynn and Her Idols.
After performing in local clubs in and around Texas, Barbara came to the attention of the singer Joe Barry, who, in turn introduced Barbara to the producer Huey P. Meaux.
Huey ran the SugarHill Recording Studios along with a few record labels in New Orleans.
Upon signing Barbara, she released her second single, ‘You'll Lose A Good Thing’ b/w ‘Lonely Heartaches’, a joint composition between Barbara and Huey.
dina and patrina b/w give me a break - 1962
Her first single was released on the Eric Records imprint in 1961, entitled ‘Give Me A Break’ b/w ‘Dina And Patrina’.
‘You'll Lose A Good Thing’ was recorded at Cosimo Matassa's J&M studio and featured several of the label’s studio musicians.
Released on the Jamie Records imprint, the single reached number 1 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart, along with reaching the Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1962.
you'll lose a good thing - 1963 / here is barbara lynn - 1968
‘You'll Lose A Good Thing’ was later recorded by Aretha Franklin.
Barbara released a parent album, also titled ‘You'll Lose A Good Thing’, which featured ten of her own songs.
Following the success of the album and single, Barbara commenced several tours, with many of the era’s biggest R&B artists, including Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, James Brown, Al Green, Carla Thomas, Marvin Gaye, Ike and Tina Turner, The Temptations, and B.B. King.
Barbara later appeared at Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theatre, and featured on the show ‘American Bandstand’ a couple of times.
Several of Barbara’s own songs were later covered by other artists including ‘Oh Baby (We've Got A Good Thing Goin’)’, by the Rolling Stones in 1964.
Barbara remained at the Jamie Records imprint up until 1966.
She then signed to the Tribe imprint, and recorded ‘You Left the Water Running’ b/w ‘Until I'm Free’, (a song later recorded by Otis Redding).
Barbara then switched labels again to Atlantic Records in 1967.
Her first album release was ‘Here Is Barbara Lynn’, in 1968, which featured the popular ‘You’re Losing Me’.
By 1970, Barbara had married and became the mother of 3 children.
Family commitments led to a quieter period in her career throughout the Seventies and early 1980’s.
Having relocated to Los Angeles, Barbara began to perform locally.
She also released several singles for the Jetstream imprint, along with a few smaller labels.
At the Jetstream label, Barbara released the popular ‘Movin' On A Groove’ b/w ‘Disco Music’ in 1976.
mellow feeling - 1979 / i'm still the same - 1983
Barbara recorded one single for the Love Records imprint in 1979, entitled ‘Mellow Feeling (Part 1)’ b/w ‘Mellow Feeling (Part 2)’.
One such, 1983 Jamstone Records release, ‘I’m Still The Same’ b/w ‘I’m Still The Same’ (Instrumental)’, created a great deal of interest on the U.K. Soul Scene.
you don't have to go - 1988 / hot night tonight - 2000
In 1984, Barbara toured in Japan, and released a new album, ‘You Don't Have to Go’, for the Ichiban imprint in 1988.
The album featured her version of the William Bell evergreen ‘Trying To Love Two’.
Following the passing of Barbara’s husband, she resumed her recording career and relocated back to Texas.
Barbara continued to tour, and in 1994, she released her first studio album for over twenty years, entitled ‘So Good’.
She was awarded the Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1999.
In 2000, Barbara released the album ‘Hot Night Tonight’ for the Antone’s imprint.
Barbara still resides in Beaumont, Texas.
Albums
You'll Lose A Good Thing (Jamie Records 1962)
Here Is Barbara Lynn (Atlantic Records 1968)
You Don't Have To Go (Ichiban Records 1988)
Barbara Lynn Live In Japan (Vivid Sound Records 1993)
So Good (Bullseye Blues Records 1994)
Until Then I'll Suffer (ITP Records 1996)
Promises (Bear Family Records 1997)
Hot Night Tonight (Texas Records 2000)
Movin' On A Groove: Live In Concert (Goldmine Soul Supply Records 2000)
