Viola Wills
A pre-stardom Barry White began using singer Viola Wills as a session vocalist on sides that he produced for Bob Keane's Bronco/Mustang labels. In the mid-'60s, Keane -- known for hits by Ritchie Valens, the Bobby Fuller Four, and Johnny Crawford of ABC-TV's hit western The Rifleman -- wanted to expand into soul music. In 1965, A&R director White signed Wills to Bronco as a solo artist. She recorded several sides for the label; all failed to chart. In 1969, she recorded a single for the A Bem Soul label that also failed to hit. In 1974, she replaced backup vocalist Claudia Linnear on Joe Cocker's European tour. While in the U.K., Wills recorded for Goodear. Three years later, she signed with Arista Records.
In 1979, while signed to the Ariola/Hansa label, Wills enjoyed her biggest hit with a disco version of Patience and Prudence's 1957 hit "Gonna Get Along Without You." Recording in an uptempo dance Hi-NRG style, Wills scored dancefloor hits with "If You Could Read My Mind" and "Up on the Roof." Wills had a Top 40 U.K. hit with the double-sided hit "Both Sides Now" and "Dare to Dream" on the Wide Angle label.
One of her Bronco singles played an integral part in a number one R&B smash. In the mid-'70s, while working on material for the next Love Unlimited album, group member Glodean James suggested to producer Barry White that he use the piano introduction from Wills' "Lost Without the Love of My Guy" on a new song. At first resistant to the idea because he didn't want to repeat himself, White relented. He reused the piano chord progression from "Lost Without the Love of My Guy" on "I Belong to You." The majestic ballad went to number one R&B in late 1974. It was included on the album In Heat and on Best of Love Unlimited.
Though Wills hasn't had a mainstream U.S. hit to date, her singles are popular in dance clubs and a number of her recordings are floating around, including "No News Is News," "House Is Not a Home," "If You Could Read My Mind," "Let's Love Now," "Take One Step Forward" (by Wills and Noel McCalla), and "Always Something There to Remind Me."
© Ed Hogan /TiVo
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If You Could Read My Mind
Disco - Released by High Fashion Music on 14 Aug 2019
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If You Could Read My Mind
Dance - Released by High Fashion Music on 7 Mar 1980
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Hits Anthology
Disco - Released by Essential Media Group on 19 Nov 2013
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Gonna Get Along Without You Now
Pop - Released by Burning Girl Productions on 1 Jan 1994
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The Lost Tapes
Vicki Sue Robinson, Viola Wills, Cinema
Electronic - Released by Perfect Sound on 14 Apr 2015
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Gonna Get Along Without You
Dance - Released by UNIDISC MUSIC INC. on 1 Jan 1994
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The Very Best Of
Disco - Released by Harlequin Recording Group on 8 Sep 2008
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Dare to Dream
R&B - Released by Harlequin Recording Group on 1 Jan 1986
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Disco Diva Vol. 2
Disco - Released by Essential Media Group on 5 Sep 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Women in Jazz: Viola Wills
Vocal Jazz - Released by Music Manager on 7 Feb 2020
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Viola Wills
Pop - Released by Dressed 2 Kill - OMP on 13 Jun 2012
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Gonna Get Along Without You Now (1994 Version)
Electronic - Released by Essential Media Group on 1 Jan 1979
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If You Could Read My Mind
Electronic - Released by Essential Media Group on 1 Jan 1980
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Dare to Dream (Remixes)
Electronic - Released by Harlequin Recording Group on 1 Apr 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Enjoy Yourself
Electronic - Released by Harlequin Recording Group on 12 Aug 2008
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Soul Soothers -15 Mellow Jazz Moments
Starlite Singers, Countdown Singers, Viola Wills
Jazz - Released by Music Manager on 27 Feb 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Viola Wills Greatest Hits
Dance - Released by StreamWorld Entertainment Classics on 23 Mar 1992
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