Linda Lewis dead: Singer-songwriter who performed with David Bowie dies aged 72 as sister pays tribute
SOUL icon Linda Lewis has died at the age of 72.
The “It’s In His Kiss” singer passed away “peacefully” at home on Wednesday, her family said.
In a statement on social media, her sister Dee Lewis Clay wrote: “It is with the greatest sadness and regret we share the news that our beloved beautiful sister Linda Lewis passed away today peacefully at her home.
“The family asks that you respect our privacy and allow us to grieve at this heart-breaking time.”
Born Linda Ann Fredericks in West Ham, London, she went to stage school and appeared in a non-speaking role in the British film A Taste of Honey in 1961 and as a screaming fan in Beatles film A Hard Day’s Night three years later.
Famed for her five-octave vocal range, Linda Lewis entertained her legions of followers for more than four decades.
A self-taught guitarist and keyboard player, she appeared at the first Glastonbury Festival in 1970.
She went on to perform as a backing singer on David Bowie’s 1973 Aladdin Sane album.
That same year her first hit “Rock-a-Doodle-Doo” reached number 15 in the UK charts.
But her biggest hit came with “It’s In His Kiss” – a cover of Cher’s “The Shoop Shoop Song” – which reached number six in 1975.
Linda went on to have four top 40 hits throughout the 80s.
Her dulcet tones saw her tour with music legends including Cat Stevens, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Rick Wakeman and Jamiroquai.