(Barbara Lynn Ozen/Cumby)
DISCOGRAPHY 1968-2019 (23CD)
BIOGRAPHY
She was born in Beaumont, Texas, and attended Hebert High School. She
played piano as a child, but switched to guitar, which she plays
left-handed. Inspired by blues artists Guitar Slim and Jimmy Reed, and
pop acts Elvis Presley and Brenda Lee, and winning several local talent
shows, she created an all-female band, Bobbie Lynn and Her Idols.
She began performing in local clubs in Texas. Singer Joe Barry saw her
and introduced Lynn to producer Huey P. Meaux, who ran SugarHill
Recording Studios and several record labels in New Orleans. Her first
single, "You'll Lose A Good Thing", co-written by her and Meaux, was
recorded at Cosimo Matassa's J&M studio with session musicians
including Mac Rebennack (Dr. John).
Released by Jamie Records, it was a number 1 US Billboard R&B chart
hit and Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hit in 1962. The song was later
recorded by Aretha Franklin and became a country hit record for Freddy
Fender. Reggae artist Mikey Dread also based the melody of his 1989
single "Choose Me" on this song. Lynn also released an album, also
titled You'll Lose A Good Thing, which featured ten of her compositions.
Unusual for the time, Lynn was a female African American singer who both
wrote most of her own songs and played a lead instrument. Soon Lynn was
touring with such soul musicians as Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Smokey
Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, James
Brown, Al Green, Carla Thomas, Marvin Gaye, Ike and Tina Turner, the
Temptations, and B.B. King.
She appeared at the Apollo Theater, twice on American Bandstand. In
1965, she had her song, "Oh Baby (We've Got A Good Thing Goin')" (1964)
covered by the Rolling Stones on their album The Rolling Stones Now! in
America and Out Of Our Heads in the UK. The song was also recorded by
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, with Beverly Skeete lead singing. Lynn
continued to record for the Jamie label until 1966 and had several more
minor hits.....
(Wikipedia)