“Yvonne Elliman began her singing career in London in 1969 and while an unknown was discovered by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. They asked her to sing the part of Mary Magdalene on their original concept album for “Jesus Christ Superstar”. After the album’s 1970 release she was part of the traveling cast for four years, appearing on the London stage, the original Broadway production, and in the Movie version. Had a Billboard Hot 100 Hit Single in 1971 with the song “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” from the album. One of only two people to appear on the original album, in the stage versions, and the movie, her performance as Mary Magdalene brought her a 1974 Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical. She sang backup for Eric Clapton, simultaneously with her own career, from 1974 to 1979. Part Japanese, Chinese and Irish.” – IMDB

Interesting singer at an interesting time. Just reading that bit above on how she was “discovered” as an 18 year old. How does a kid from Hawaii end up singing in London only to be discovered by the producers of one of the biggest plays/movies of the 70s?? Just bizarre. If you’ve never seen Jesus Christ Superstar I highly recommend it. It is out of this world for some of the dance and musical numbers. There is a group dance scene in front of these columns that is one for the ages (and I’m no even a particularly big dance fan). Its incredible what they did back then before they knew they couldn’t do it. Much like Godspell, only on a more spectacular level. She was just exceptional in the role of Mary Magdalene. Then to read she sang backup in the 70s for Eric Clapton was unbelievable.

The song in the video I posted “Hello Stranger”, is one of those like with Ray Coniff singers where I first discovered the voice as an “instrument”. The melodic nature of her voice is hypnotizing. [shoo bop, shoo bop my baby!]