|
 There were early signs that Melba Moore would
become an entertainer. The most obvious motivation was her mother,
Bonnie Davis, who was also a successful singer. Witnessing the
success that her mother endured, Moore knew the entertainment
industry would not escape her. The world of performing arts was
formally introduced to her by way of dance lessons at the age of
four. Moore's mother impressed upon her that "if you don't touch
people's hearts, it doesn't mean anything." Her stepfather would also become
an instrumental figure in the development of her early career.
All her siblings were musically inclined. Melba's interest was
dance. However, her stepfather insisted that she learn the piano.
Against her will, she conceded — and to her benefit. She gained
much admiration for the blues and jazz pianists. Upon graduating
from college, she became a music teacher, which she found very
fulfilling. Nonetheless, Moore's affinity for the entertainment
industry persisted.
 Her stepfather, also a musician, gave her invaluable advice and
guidance. He sensed his stepdaughter's irresistible urge to be in
the entertainment industry, so he began to show her the ropes. The
results landed Moore jobs singing jingles and background vocals.
She hit it big when she joined the cast of the Broadway musical
Hair. One day while working in the studio, a barefoot gentleman
asked her if she wanted to be in the play. Moore accepted and
eventually won the lead role. It was the first time in history
that a black actress replaced a white actress (Diane
Keaton) for the lead role on Broadway. That followed with
another Broadway hit, Purlie, which earned her a Tony Award and
rave reviews.
That success was followed by appearances in film, television,
and recording ventures. In 1975, she married Charles Huggins. The
two formed Hush Productions and began seeking out R&B artists that
they could manage and produce. The most famous being
Freddie Jackson, whose presence at Hush Production was
primarily due in part to Moore. In the same year "I Am His Lady"
was released on Buddah (Billboard number 82, six weeks); it was
Moore's first single to hit the charts. It would be seven years
and 12 singles later before she would claim her first Top Ten
single. In 1982 the New York City native cracked the Billboard R&B
charts at number five with the dance/club track "Love's Comin' at
Ya."
Moore's next ten releases spawned four Top 20 and two Top Ten
singles: "Livin' for Your Love" and "Love the One I'm With" (duet
with
Kashif), respectively peaked at six and five. The single to
follow the latter was "A Little Bit More" (a duet with
Jackson). The year was 1986, and it was Moore's first number
one song but not her last. Also released in the same year,
"Falling" claimed the top spot on the charts. Thereafter, Moore
released seven more singles. Two were Top 20 hits and three were
Top Ten hits, including the black national anthem "Lift Every
Voice and Sing" (Billboard number ten).
All the splendor that Moore relished in would soon come to a
halt. Her husband of 15 years abruptly divorced the songstress
without any prior warning. In spite of the personal and
professional hardships that resulted from this unforeseen
misfortune, Moore was able to rebound. In 1996 she released
Happy Together, her first album in six years. And in
1998 she began touring the country with her one-woman
autobiographical musical Sweet Songs of the Soul. She is honorably
one of the top singers the R&B world has ever known and this can
be supported by her admirable chart activity, which dates back to
1975. |
