664 Claudia Lennear

Claudia and Andy

They were usually just out of sight of the cameras and seldom mentioned on record credits, but the ladies and men who sang backup were the voices who added the spice to many memorable songs of our lives. So, while we may not know their names as we do the lead acts, names like Juanita "Honey" Franklin, Linda Lewis, Claudia Lennear, and many others added the spice we so needed in popular music.

Claudia and David

To celebrate these under recognized vocalists, this week we present a Claudia Lennear who who began her career as an Ikette and later sang with Joe Cocker and Leon Russell.  She appeared briefly in the 1974 film, "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" and was featured in a 1974 issue of Playboy. She and other unsung musical backup vocalists were the subject of the 2013 documentary "20 Feet From Stardom."

10 Stranger In A Strange Land - Leon Russell
09 Johnny Too Bad - Taj Mahal
08 Only You Know and I Know - Dave Mason
07 Shine On - Humble Pie
06 Gimme Some Lovin' - Freddie King
05 Come Down In Time - Al Kooper
04 Some Misunderstanding - Gene Clark
03 The Shape I'm In - Don Nix
02 Space Captain - Joe Cocker
01 Let It Be - Claudia Linnear
Bonus: Lady Grinning Soul - David Bowie

Yes, it's Claudia!