Sweet and heady, like my love

It will be the 80th birthday next Tuesday of one of the UK's finest singers, Miss Elkie Brooks!

Originally a cabaret and jazz vocalist (with Humphrey Lyttleton's band), she went on to form the legendary blues and rock band Vinegar Joe with Robert Palmer - earning the reputation of the wild woman of rock 'n' roll, due to her energetic stage performances.

However, it was as a solo singer that she finally hit the big time, with a string of hits in the 70s and 80s - including these:

Elkie Brooks - Pearl's A Singer

Elkie Brooks - No More the Fool

Elkie Brooks - Lilac Wine

Perfect "Sunday Music", methinks.

Many happy returns, Elkie Brooks (born Elaine Bookbinder, 25th February 1945)!

Her job is entertaining folks

While we were away on holiday, a certain legend called Elkie Brooks celebrated her 65th birthday! Heavens, that makes me feel old...

Still performing and touring as we speak, Miss Brooks began her career much in the same way as she performss today, as a brassy singer of powerful jazzy numbers and tearful ballads. Her first sniff of success was as part of the band Vinegar Joe with the late, great Robert Palmer. Her commercial success in the 1970s largely hinges around one song, however, for which she will always be remembered - Pearl's A Singer...

Elkie Brooks - Pearl's a Singer

Here is a remarkable early performance of hers, in which she demonstrates the throaty talents that would later bring her success and adulation:

Elkie Brooks - Nothing Left To Do But Cry

And here she is performing a song from her brand new album Powerless, released this week:

Elkie Brooks - Powerless

Many happy returns to a mistress of song!

Elkie Brooks official website