Sundray Tucker
| Sundray Tucker | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 23, 1948 |
| Genres | R&B, Soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1967–present |
| Labels | Peacock, Benn Lee, Veep, Neptune, TK Records, Grace Note Records, Driving Wheel Records |
| Associated acts | Labelle, Lynda Laurence, Former Ladies of the Supremes |
Sundray Tucker (born March 23, 1948) is an American singer. She is the eldest daughter of the late Ira Tucker (of The Dixie Hummingbirds) and Louise Tucker. Her sister is Lynda Laurence, once a member, of The Supremes, and her brother is Ira Tucker Jr.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Sundray was a member of an earlier version of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, under the name The Ordettes and left the group due to troubles in school before the group changed its name to the Blue Belles (later Bluebelles). Sundray also performed under the name Cindy Scott. Her most notable single was the Northern Soul classic 'I Love You Baby', backed with 'In Your Spare Time'.
In 1967, Sundray joined The Three Degrees and performed alongside Fayette Pinkney and Sheila Ferguson for touring purposes only.
Sundray joined her sister Lynda and third member Terri Hendricks on the road as back-up vocalists for Stevie Wonder on a tour to promote Signed, Sealed & Delivered in late 1969. The group were known as The Third Generation, which in turned became Stevie's resident backing group, Wonderlove. Sundray's stay with this group was relatively short-lived as she joined Ernie Terrell and the Heavyweights as lead vocalist, replacing departing member Jean Terrell. In 1976 Sundray performed background vocals for Stevie Wonder's critically acclaimed album, Songs in the Key of Life, providing backing vocals for several tracks, most notably on "Ordinary Pain".
Throughout her long career, Sundray has held a connection to The Supremes in one way or another. Starting off in 1962, Sundray left the group The Ordettes and group member Patti LaBelle to be replaced by Cindy Birdsong. In turn Cindy would leave the group in 1967 to replace departing Supreme Florence Ballard. In 1970 Sundray was recruited to replace Jean Terrell from Ernie Terrell and The Heavyweights as lead vocalist of the group. Jean, in her turn was replacing Diana Ross in The Supremes. In 1972 Supremes member Cindy Birdsong announced she would be retiring from the group to concentrate on family life and her initial thought as an ideal replacement was Sundray. Sundray auditioned for the part, but due to contractual obligations was unable to replace Cindy in The Supremes, however her sister Lynda Laurence joined The Supremes Jean Terrell and Mary Wilson.
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