Freda Payne, Talented singer and actress Freda Payne was born on September 19 in Detroit, Michigan. From an early age, she showed a passion for the performing arts, studying ballet and Afro Cuban dance, modeling, and appearing on nationally televised programs such as Ted Mack’s The Original Amateur Hour. She also sang jingles and was featured on WJR radio’s Make Way for Youth, along with many other local television and radio programs. Early in her career, her mother famously declined a recording contract offered by then unknown Berry Gordy, who would later found Motown Records.
After graduating from Central High School, Freda toured with Pearl Bailey’s musical review and performed with the Duke Ellington Band. In 1962, she released her first album, After the Lights Go Down, on ABC’s Impulse Records.
Moving to New York City, Freda made appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Merv Griffin Show, and The Dick Cavett Show. In 1964, she joined The Four Tops, Billy Eckstine, and Nipsey Russell on the Quincy Jones Tour. She also served as understudy for Leslie Uggams in the Broadway production of Hallelujah, Baby! and performed in the show five times.
Freda’s rise to international stardom began when she signed with Invictus Records in 1969, founded by her Detroit friends Brian Holland, Edward Holland Jr., and Lamont Dozier. Her breakthrough hit, Band of Gold, became a global sensation in 1970, reaching number one in the United Kingdom and number three in the United States, earning her first gold record. Additional hits followed, including Deeper and Deeper, You Brought Me Joy, and the powerful anti war anthem Bring the Boys Home. As her career flourished, Freda toured extensively throughout Europe and Japan and appeared in numerous television specials.
Since leaving Invictus in 1973, Freda has recorded more than 20 albums, including several new interpretations of Band of Gold. In 1974, she appeared on the cover of Jet magazine after being honored as a Dame of Malta by the Knights of Malta and the Sovereign Military and Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
In addition to her music career, Freda hosted the talk show Today’s Black Woman from 1980 to 1981 and joined the cast of Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies in 1982. Her celebrated stage work also includes starring roles in Ain’t Misbehavin’ with Della Reese, Blues in the Night, and Jelly’s Last Jam alongside Gregory Hines and Savion Glover. Her film credits include Private Obsession, Sprung, Ragdoll, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, and Fire and Ice.
On April 22, 2009, Freda appeared on American Idol, performing her classic hit Band of Gold. In 2010, she joined Kanye West, Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson, Barbra Streisand, and many others on We Are the World for Haiti relief.
In 2011, Freda recorded a duet with Sir Cliff Richard titled Saving a Life for his album Soulicious and toured England with him later that year. She also recorded the acclaimed jazz album Come Back to Me Love for Mack Avenue Records, produced by Bill Cunliffe.
In 2018, Freda returned triumphantly to the stage in Ella: First Lady of Song at the Delaware Theatre Company, earning glowing reviews for her performance. More recently, she released the EP Let There Be Love, featuring duets with Johnny Mathis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kenny Lattimore, and Kurt Elling. She also published her memoir, Band of Gold: A Memoir, co-written with Mark Bego, in 2021.
In 2024, Freda released her new single, Just To Be With You (Golden Promises Mix), produced by former Motown producer Michael B. Sutton through a partnership with Worldsound, Virgin Music Group, and Universal Music Group.
With a prolific career spanning decades across music, television, film, and theater, Freda Payne continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Her indelible mark on the entertainment industry remains as vibrant as ever, and her extraordinary legacy continues to grow.
After graduating from Central High School, Freda toured with Pearl Bailey’s musical review and performed with the Duke Ellington Band. In 1962, she released her first album, After the Lights Go Down, on ABC’s Impulse Records.
Moving to New York City, Freda made appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Merv Griffin Show, and The Dick Cavett Show. In 1964, she joined The Four Tops, Billy Eckstine, and Nipsey Russell on the Quincy Jones Tour. She also served as understudy for Leslie Uggams in the Broadway production of Hallelujah, Baby! and performed in the show five times.
Freda’s rise to international stardom began when she signed with Invictus Records in 1969, founded by her Detroit friends Brian Holland, Edward Holland Jr., and Lamont Dozier. Her breakthrough hit, Band of Gold, became a global sensation in 1970, reaching number one in the United Kingdom and number three in the United States, earning her first gold record. Additional hits followed, including Deeper and Deeper, You Brought Me Joy, and the powerful anti war anthem Bring the Boys Home. As her career flourished, Freda toured extensively throughout Europe and Japan and appeared in numerous television specials.
Since leaving Invictus in 1973, Freda has recorded more than 20 albums, including several new interpretations of Band of Gold. In 1974, she appeared on the cover of Jet magazine after being honored as a Dame of Malta by the Knights of Malta and the Sovereign Military and Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
In addition to her music career, Freda hosted the talk show Today’s Black Woman from 1980 to 1981 and joined the cast of Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies in 1982. Her celebrated stage work also includes starring roles in Ain’t Misbehavin’ with Della Reese, Blues in the Night, and Jelly’s Last Jam alongside Gregory Hines and Savion Glover. Her film credits include Private Obsession, Sprung, Ragdoll, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, and Fire and Ice.
On April 22, 2009, Freda appeared on American Idol, performing her classic hit Band of Gold. In 2010, she joined Kanye West, Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson, Barbra Streisand, and many others on We Are the World for Haiti relief.
In 2011, Freda recorded a duet with Sir Cliff Richard titled Saving a Life for his album Soulicious and toured England with him later that year. She also recorded the acclaimed jazz album Come Back to Me Love for Mack Avenue Records, produced by Bill Cunliffe.
In 2018, Freda returned triumphantly to the stage in Ella: First Lady of Song at the Delaware Theatre Company, earning glowing reviews for her performance. More recently, she released the EP Let There Be Love, featuring duets with Johnny Mathis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kenny Lattimore, and Kurt Elling. She also published her memoir, Band of Gold: A Memoir, co-written with Mark Bego, in 2021.
In 2024, Freda released her new single, Just To Be With You (Golden Promises Mix), produced by former Motown producer Michael B. Sutton through a partnership with Worldsound, Virgin Music Group, and Universal Music Group.
With a prolific career spanning decades across music, television, film, and theater, Freda Payne continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Her indelible mark on the entertainment industry remains as vibrant as ever, and her extraordinary legacy continues to grow.
Come back to me loveBiographical Film - Friends and special guests come together to talk about Freda Payne's life and career, and her return to her jazz roots
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