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From : ROBSBIGSCITYSOUL
Added: Mar 21, 2008
BARBARA McNAIR was a singer, actress and model. Born in Chicago, Illinois she studied music at the American Conservatory of Music. Her big break came with a win on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, which led to bookings at 'The Purple Onion' and the 'Cocoanut Grove'. She soon became one of the country's most popular headliners and a guest on such television variety shows as 'The Steve Allen Show', 'Hullabaloo', 'The Bell Telephone Hour', and 'The Hollywood Palace'. She recorded five singles for the Coral label, and achieved other recordings on KC, Signature and Warner Brothers. In 1965, Berry Gordy signed McNair to Motown while searching for more artists who could break into the MOR section of the record business. Her first single release was 'You're Gonna Love My Baby' with 'The Touch Of Time'. Despite heavy promotion, the released failed to register. However, 'Love my Baby' has gained extensive plays on the Northern Soul scene. In the final years of Wigan Casino the record was programmed by DJ's towards the end of 'Oldies' All-Nighters. Ironically, it's now one of the most sought after UK Tamla Motown 45's. Motown worked with McNair on four more singles and two album releases -'Here I Am' and 'The Real Barbara McNair' with producer Frank Wilson. 'It Happens Every Time' is a popular dancer on the Rare Soul scene. This album track was played at Bretby Country Club Soul Nights in the mid 1990's. McNair's also made TV appearances on Dean Martin, Ed Sullivan, Danny Kaye and Milton Berle shows. She also made guest appearances on popular series such as 'Dr. Kildare', 'I Spy', 'Mission: Impossible', 'Hogan's Heroes', 'The Mod Squad', 'General Hospital' and 'McMillan and Wife'. She caught the attention of the movie-going public with her much-publicized nude sequences in the gritty crime drama 'If He Hollers Let Him Go' (1968) opposite Raymond St. Jacques, then donned a nun's habit alongside Mary Tyler Moore for 'Change of Habit' (1969), Elvis Presley's last feature film. She portrayed Sidney Poitier's wife in 'They Call Me Mister Tibbs!' (1970) and its sequel, 'The Organization' (1971). McNair's Broadway credits include 'The Body Beautiful' (1958), 'No Strings' (1962), and a revival of 'The Pajama Game' (1973). McNair starred in her own 1969 television variety series. Despite A-list guests like Tony Bennett and Sonny and Cher, it lasted only one season. Finally, offers began to dwindle. Into her seventies, McNair resided in the Los Angeles area, playing tennis and skiing to keep in shape on a regular basis and touring on occasion. She died on February 4, 2007.
Category : Music

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