b. Doris Higginson, 6th January 1937, New York City, U.S.A.
d. 16th February 2004, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.
Doris was the daughter of a Baptist preacher.
She also used to sing in the jazz group, the Halo's.
She recorded as half of Jay And Dee and began songwriting, using her grandmother's surname of Payne.
In 1960, Dee Clark recorded one of Doris's songs, 'How About That' for the Vee Jay imprint.
She also recorded for the Everest label before becoming a background singer on a regular basis.
Doris worked with the ex-Drinkard Singers Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick.
She also recorded with their aunt Cissy Houston, backing many groups including the Drifters, Solomon Burke and Chuck Jackson.
In 1963, Doris co-wrote 'Just One Look', which became a U.S. Top 10 hit.
It was covered the following year by the U.K. band the Hollies, and reached the U.K. number 2 position.
'What'cha Gonna Do About It?' reached the U.K. Top 40 in the following year.
Doris also recorded for the Capitol and Calla imprints.
After settling in London in 1969, she recorded a self-titled album for the Beatles label, Apple, with the help of George Harrison and Eric Clapton.
Doris also recorded for the People and Polydor labels and later worked as a session singer, contributing to a number of albums including Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side Of The Moon' along with Nick Drake's 'Bryter Layter' on the song 'Poor Boy'.
From the mid-80's to 1991, Doris performed in the U.S. musical (personal) biography, 'Mama, I Want To Sing', and repeated her performance when the show opened in London in February 1995.
Doris Troy passed away in her sleep on the 16th of February 2004, in Las Vegas, Nevada after a lengthy bout with emphysema. She was 67.
Albums:
Just One Look (Atlantic Records 1963)
Doris Troy (Apple Records 1970)
Rainbow Testament (Polydor Records 1972)
Stretching Out (People Records 1974)
Mama, I Want To Sing (1986)
