b. Donna McGhee, 6th December 1955, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
Donna’s only album, ‘Make It Last Forever’, was released on the small New York independent label, Red Greg Records, in 1978.
As a child, Donna began her career singing in the same church her grandmother attended.
Her grandmothers choir were the Lucille Robinson Ensemble, based at Brooklyn’s Church Of God In Christ.
Although her 'Soul' is in the church, she credits the likes of Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan as personal influences.
On the secular scene, Donna’s first break in the music business came she joined the Fatback Band as a 21-year-old.
donna's credit on the fatback band's 'raising hell'
She became a singer during the group’s album release ‘Raising Hell’ (recorded in Manhattan)
Donna performed on the songs ‘(Are You Ready) Do The Bus Stop’, ‘Groovy Kind Of Day’ and ‘Put Your Love (In My Tender Care)’.
donna in ricky williams and night flight
In 1976 she left the group and joined the band Ricky Williams and Night Flight.
donna in bumblebee unlimited
Here she worked with the producers and songwriters Greg Carmichael and Patrick Adams with the group Bumblebee Unlimited.
Donna went on to sing on sides by the group’s, Universal Robot Band and Phreek.
She then signed a deal with Greg Carmichael’s Red Greg imprint.
The album ‘Make It Last Forever’, featured the songs ‘Do As I Do’, ‘Make It Last Forever’ and ‘It Ain’t No Big Thing’.
The album saw Donna perform at the likes of Studio 54 and Paradise Garage.
She left the Reg Greg imprint for Obago Records, recording ‘You Should Have Told Me’, in 1981.
Donna continued to work as a singer, recording background vocals for the likes of Salt-N-Pepa, Big Daddy Kane, BeBe & CeCe Winans and Vanessa Bell Armstrong.
In 2011, Donna appeared on a single by dance US producer Shannon Harris, (‘Remember The Time’) and later on ‘Dirty Talk’, a 12” from Italian house producer, I-Robots.
‘Make It Last Forever’ has been re-issued in recent years, creating a new market for the younger generation.
http://www.disco-disco.com/artists/donna-m.shtml
Albums:
Make It Last Forever (Red Greg Records 1978)
