Frances Nero
Encyclopedia
Frances Nero, at the age of 22, became the first live performance
contest winner in Motown Records
's history. Topping out 5,000 contestants, she emerged victor in June 1965. She was awarded $500, a dozen long stemmed red roses, a recording contract
for one year and the honor of being the first female artist signed to Motown's Soul label
. The contest was sponsored by WCHB
, the soul
radio station
in Detroit, Michigan
; and Motown Records. She also took her place in history as WCHB's first live contest winner.
Nero recorded
"Keep On Loving Me" and "Fight Fire With Fire" penned
by William Weatherspoon and James Dean, and produced
by William "Mickey" Stevenson. The record
sold 10,000 copies.
She appeared on Canada
's television program
, Swinging Time with host Robin Seymour
.
Nero was a one-hit wonder
in the UK with "Footsteps Following Me" in 1991.
simultaneously. The Famous Tams featuring William "PO Bill" Mills and The Untils, a group of Stephens-Lee's band members. Stanley Baird, Bynum Griffin and Clifford Cotton went on to play with such stars as Chuck Jackson
and James Brown
. Nero was the featured vocalist with both bands.
She married Johnny Nero, who was a native of Detroit. She went to Detroit after dancing to Marv Johnson
, who later became a close friend. She was homesick and went back to Asheville
, North Carolina
, but after a few months she returned to Detroit and settled into married
life. She gave birth to her second child on January 21, 1965.
In 1989, she was contacted by the UK
producer, Ian Levine
. Levine produced over 100 former Motown artists but Nero gave him his biggest hit of his career with "Footsteps Following Me". British Disc Jockeys dubbed it "the soul anthem of the nineties". The single
also reached #17 in the UK Singles Chart
.
Nero has appeared on UK's top radio and television shows such as Top of the Pops
,
The Terry Wogan Show
and The Hitman and Her
.
1968 - Shrine Records
1993 - MotorCity Records
1996 - Aja Records
2007/8
Live television
Live television refers to a television production broadcast in real-time, as events happen, in the present. From the early days of television until about 1958, live television was used heavily, except for filmed shows such as I Love Lucy and Gunsmoke. Video tape did not exist until 1957...
contest winner in Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
's history. Topping out 5,000 contestants, she emerged victor in June 1965. She was awarded $500, a dozen long stemmed red roses, a recording contract
Recording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
for one year and the honor of being the first female artist signed to Motown's Soul label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. The contest was sponsored by WCHB
WCHB
WCHB is an American AM radio station licensed to Taylor, Michigan, at 1200 kHz, and serving the Detroit market. Owned by Radio One, WCHB identifies as NewsTalk 1200 WCHB and airs a News/Talk format.-AM 1440 WCHB:...
, the soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
in Detroit, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
; and Motown Records. She also took her place in history as WCHB's first live contest winner.
Nero recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
"Keep On Loving Me" and "Fight Fire With Fire" penned
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
by William Weatherspoon and James Dean, and produced
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
by William "Mickey" Stevenson. The record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
sold 10,000 copies.
She appeared on Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's television program
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
, Swinging Time with host Robin Seymour
Robin Seymour
Robin Seymour is a professional Mountain bike racer and cyclo cross racer that rides for the WORC team. Seymour is a former Motorbike racer that turned to cycling...
.
Nero was a one-hit wonder
One-hit wonder
A one-hit wonder is a person or act known mainly for only a single success. The term is most often used to describe music performers with only one hit single.-Characteristics:...
in the UK with "Footsteps Following Me" in 1991.
Early life
Nero attended Stephens-Lee High School where she performed with two bandsBand (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
simultaneously. The Famous Tams featuring William "PO Bill" Mills and The Untils, a group of Stephens-Lee's band members. Stanley Baird, Bynum Griffin and Clifford Cotton went on to play with such stars as Chuck Jackson
Chuck Jackson
Chuck Jackson is an R&B singer who was one of the first artists to record material by Burt Bacharach and Hal David successfully. He has performed with moderate success since 1961...
and James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
. Nero was the featured vocalist with both bands.
She married Johnny Nero, who was a native of Detroit. She went to Detroit after dancing to Marv Johnson
Marv Johnson
Marv Johnson was an American R&B and soul singer, most notable for performing on the first record to be issued from what became Motown.-Biography:...
, who later became a close friend. She was homesick and went back to Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, but after a few months she returned to Detroit and settled into married
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
life. She gave birth to her second child on January 21, 1965.
A second chance
Nero after being shelved by Motown, asked for a release from her contract. After the release and Frances taking control over her career, her mother was stricken with diabetes and her legs had to be amputated. Nero cared for her mother until she died in 1978. Frances went to cosmetology school and began teaching the beauty trade.In 1989, she was contacted by the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
producer, Ian Levine
Ian Levine
Ian Levine is an English songwriter, producer, and DJ. He is also a well-known fan of the long-running television show Doctor Who.Levine attended Arnold School in Blackpool from 1963 to 1970...
. Levine produced over 100 former Motown artists but Nero gave him his biggest hit of his career with "Footsteps Following Me". British Disc Jockeys dubbed it "the soul anthem of the nineties". The single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
also reached #17 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
Nero has appeared on UK's top radio and television shows such as Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
,
The Terry Wogan Show
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
and The Hitman and Her
The Hitman and Her
The Hit Man And Her was a British television dance music show hosted by Pete Waterman and Michaela Strachan. The programme was produced by Granada Television in Manchester, Clear Idea Productions and Music Box and it ran almost continuously for over four years and three months September 1988 until...
.
Discography
1965 - Motown Records- "Keep On Loving Me"
- "Fight Fire With Fire"
1968 - Shrine Records
Shrine Records
Shrine Records was an American soul and R&B record label based in Washington, D.C. The label was cofounded in 1964 by the label's primary songwriter Eddie Singleton along with wife, Raynoma Gordy Singleton...
- "Lady In Waiting" (duo with Gino Parks)
1993 - MotorCity Records
- "Footsteps Following Me"
- Footsteps Following Me
- The Best Of Frances Nero
- MotorCity Various Artists Albums
1996 - Aja Records
- "Love Ride"
- "It Ain't The Same Without You"
- For My Very Special Fans - A compilationCompilation albumA compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
of Christmas carolChristmas carolA Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas or the winter season in general and which are traditionally sung in the period before Christmas.-History:...
s
2007/8
- Frances Nero Salutes Dinah Washington