MAXINE DANIELS

 

Maxine Daniels (2 November 1930 – 20 October 2003) was an English jazz singer who worked with Humphrey Lyttelton.

Daniels was born Gladys Lynch in Stepney, London, an elder sister of singer and entertainer, Kenny Lynch. She was one of thirteen children.

Her first recognition as a singer came from winning a local talent contest, at the age of 14, in a Stepney cinema. Local recognition lead to a first singing job with a semi-professional band led by a Canning Town grocer until another talent competition organised by the Daily Sketch and sponsored by bandleader Ted Heath. A long residency (1954–56) with bandleader Denny Boyce followed at The Orchid Room in Purley. At Boyce's suggestion she changed her stage name and through their regular Radio Luxembourg broadcasts she gained a wider audience and the opportunity to record for the Oriole label.

Personal life

She married Charlie Daniels in 1950, and had one daughter Hazel Annette together. Charlie Daniels died in 1988. In the late 1950s she shared a mutual attraction with actor Sean Connery whom she met while performing at the Empire Theatre. Connery purpotedly made a pass at her, but was informed she was already happily married with a daughter. Maxine Daniels died in Romford in 2003, aged 72. She is survived by daughter and two grandsons.

Discography

Coffee Bar Calypso (Oriole, 1957)

A Foggy Day (Oriole, 1957)

I Never Realised (Oriole, 1958)

Somebody Else Is Taking My Place (Oriole, 1958) with Denny Boyce & His Orchestra

When It's Springtime in the Rockies (Oriole, 1958) with Denny Boyce & His Orchestra

Passionate Summer (Oriole, 1958)

Pete Corrigan and His Band of Hope (CBH, 1984) featuring Maxine Daniels

The Magic of Maxine Daniels... Every Night About This Time (Calligraph, 1986)

A Pocketful of Dreams (Calligraph, 1987)

From the Heart (Calligraph, 1993)

The Memory of Tonight (Calligraph, 1996)