5 Facts About Lorraine Ellison’s Quick Shift From Gospel to R&B
- She started as a gospel singer with the Golden Chords in 1963.
- By 1964, she had already released her first R&B single, “I Dig You Baby,” on Mercury Records.
- That is a remarkably fast pivot between two very different vocal traditions.
- Gospel and R&B require distinct phrasing, delivery, and emotional tone.
- Ellison’s quick transition shows she had the versatility to adapt her voice to secular music almost immediately.