Carol Hughes is a not uncommon name. There is an actress by that name who played in a Flash Gordon movie, there is a British writer, and many many more Carol Hughes'es around. That's what makes it hard to find more about that singer Carol Hughes who recorded from 1956-1962 on various US labels.
I have no personal information about the singer. She may be born around 1940 in the Los Angeles area (one of her songs figures on a soul compilation The Sound of East L.A). She's got a good, swinging, deep, powerful voice. She could be black.
Listen to her song Lover Boy
Below an autographed single release.
She has recorded quite some songs. She must have been known outside the US. The record on Mercury that I've got is a release printed in Norway.
That makes it extra strange that I haven't been able to find any other information about her.
Discography:
1956-57 on Mercury:
Merc 70986 Fancy Dance/ Mine all mine (Oct. 1956)
Merc 71095 My Big Brother's Friend/ Lover Boy (Apr. 1957)
1957-58 on Roulette:
Roul 4032 Pick Another Baby / Never Go 'way (Oct. 1957)
Roul 4041 Lend Me Your Comb/ First Date (Jan. 1958)
1958-59 on Dot
Dot 15863 The Bass/ Don't forget I love you (Nov. 1958)
Dot 15923 Bobby/ Sholem Aleichem (March 1959)
1959-60 for RCA-Victor
RCA 7605 Staying Young/ Going to the dogs (Sept. 1959)
RCA 7617 It's me, it's me, it's me/ I must have done something wonderful (Oct. 1959)
RCA 7665 Let Me Go Lover / When Did I Fall In Love (Jan. 1960)
RCA 7726 Creation/ Love, Kisses and Heartaches (Apr. 1960)
RCA 7763 I Can Tell/ Congratulations (June 1960)
For Corby (note: read comments below: this is another Carol Hughes...)
Corby 212 Let's Get Together Again/ Don't Turn Your Back
year unknown; some 1965-67 Corby releases exist, but 1960 could also be possible
1961-62 for Carlton
Carlton 571: Hello Heartbreak/ She's right for you (end 1961, early 1962?)
No information of recording after 1962.
Any help...?
Update Nov. 2009:
Picture of Carol found!
Paper (1956) says: "...a 14 years old, sophomore at West Oranje (NJ) high school, singing since the age of 2, TV experience in Athur Murray Dance Party and the Dean Martin Show...."
01 June 2008
Carol Hughes - pop singer ± 1960
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14 comments :
Carol is a friend of the family...you are correct that she was born about that time, but is from the NY area and is white. She does not perform anymore, but still has a great voice.
so what more info is there like the actual release year of lets get together again..that record is huge with the low rider crowd
We need to ask Carol to join facebook or something! Lots of youtube singers will post ways to find them in facebook. Carol has an awesome voice! "The Bass" just knocks me out! It works because of the power of Carol's voice! We love you Carol Hughes!
I think there were at least two female singers with the name Carol Hughes. I have the Dot single and it's entirely different from the Corby label hit, which has a black soul sound. Just my opinon.
Carol appeared on the Jimmie Rodgers TV show on August 11, 1959.
https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11221774_10153251924889900_831763120054528007_n.jpg?oh=aba4e5eb2c2da6c252db0fc5c6494cba&oe=564FF04B
I would agree that the Carol Hughes who recorded "Let's Get Together Again" is a different singer than the one discussed here.
"Let's Get Together Again" was released in 1966.
Carol is my stepmother. She will occasionally sing a few bars at a family gathering and her voice is great. She still lives in West Orange, NJ.
The name Carol Hughes who released "Let's Get Together Again" is NOT the "Carol Hughes" you are referring to here. This song was released on the Corby Record label. Catalogue: CR-212. Release date: June 1966.
In contrast, the woman singing (Let's Get Together Again) has a week, feeble voice and the song is quit meagre and insubstantial compared to the records that "the" Carol Hughes recorded from 1956 through to 1962.
The Sound of East L.A. is actually the CD compilation titled: Brown Eyed Soul Vol. 3 (The Sound Of East L.A.). Again, that is the "wrong" Carol Hughes. The track on it is that awful Let's Get Together Again. In your wording, I got the impression that the song "Lover Boy" was on that CD. It isn't, nor is it on any CD unfortunately.
Thank you Sylvester. I have changed the text, Let's Get Together being a 'false' Carol.
I know, Lover Boy only is in vinyl. I've got that record.
Thanks Kees,
Carol Hughes' greatest song in my opinion was LOVE, KISSES AND HEARTACHES. This was released in April 1960 on the RCA Victor label. Unfortunately and sadly, Love Kisses And Heartaches and the 12 singles that Carol Hughes cut from 1956 - 1962 never made it into the Billboard Hot 100, the UK charts, nor (as far as I know) any European charts.
I wrote a review about her here: http://www.45cat.com/record/477726
I came here seeing info on Carol Hughes.
I found her single on the website
dreamgirlzszDOTblogspotDOTcom/2022/08/. you can dig out the link and info... I can't post it with dots as normal due to restrictions...
which features Girls of Rare Rockin Records - VOL 1
and Carol is track 3. Carol Hughes - Hello Heartbreak (2:13)
As of now, the old link is still working, as I downloaded the CD today, and have been enjoying the collection, including Carol Hughes powerful voice...as I have outlined here.
I am not sure on the quick read of all the good info above if this is one of these Carol Hughes, but I'm
thinking it might be...
I can only surmise by the style of the music (50's white ala Brill Building sound - and the polished Gogi Grant bravura vibrato style) that she's a white singer, but
hey, it's hard to tell some of the time, and the disctinction is on style, and not race. Generally, race records are
more soulful, since American Soul and American Popular Music all along since Slavery has been soulfully and joyfully and sadly made more real and essential... JUST SAYIN' IMH...American Whiteboy loves Jazz and Soul opinion.
By the way, KUDO's to you all and for the european lovers of American Pop music too... Dig it, World. IT's all real.
Best in listening to as much as you want! Let's keep CULTURE FREE and EASY TO SHARE.
Den NC USA
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