Brenda Holloway (born June 21, 1946) is an American singer and songwriter, who was a recording artist for Motown Records during the 1960s. Her best-known recordings are the soul hits, "Every Little Bit Hurts", "When I'm Gone", and "You've Made Me So Very Happy." The latter, which she co-wrote, was later widely popularized when it became a Top Ten hit for Blood, Sweat & Tears. She left Motown after four years, at the age of 22, and largely retired from the music industry until the 1990s, after her recordings had become popular on the British "Northern soul" scene.
Is still an avid performer...and appears for hire at events. [June 2003]
3
Motown owner and founder, Berry Gordy, Jr. vaulted practically all of her songs. 59 songs, including 3 live performances at Detroit's famous 20 Grand, 2 duets (one with her sister, other with her sister accompaning Frank Wilson), and a "Shindig!" song called Shake. All in all, totals up to 65 unissued tracks. However, many collectors of rare Motown, have somehow manage to grasp ahold of many of her never released material. In recent years, 12 of her 63 vaulted songs have been issued on CD. Within a few years, an anthology of all Brenda Holloway's material will probably surface on a 3 boxed CD set.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Mad Men
2014
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon
2011
Documentary performer: "When I'm Gone"
Bride Wars
2009
writer: "You've Made Me So Very Happy" - as Brenda Holloway Davis
The Secret Life of Words
2005
writer: "You've Made Me So Very Happy"
American Idol
2005
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Canadian Idol
2004
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Dish
2000
writer: "You've Made Me So Very Happy" 1967
Mystery Science Theater 3000
1992
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Wonder Years
1992
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Ernie Sigley Show
1974-1975
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
The Graham Kennedy Show
1973
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Two Ronnies
1972
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Benny Hill Show
1971
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Ed Sullivan Show
1969
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Beatles at Shea Stadium
1966
TV Movie documentary performer: "I Can't Help Myself"