Lovelace Watkins

Lovelace Watkins (March 6, 1938–June 11, 1995) was a Las Vegas-based singer and performer who achieved prominence in America as well as in Europe and Australia.

Watkins was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey in 1938. He was of African, Indian and Spanish heritage. Watkins When his mother gave birth to him, she was only fourteen years old and was raised by his grandmother. He studied microbiology at Rutgers University and also trained as a boxer. His operatically trained and signature booming voice took him to Europe where he became so popular that he was invited to entertain at the Royal Command Performance for the Queen of the United Kingdom. The Times called him “the best entertainer on earth.” In South Africa he received two gold albums and was so celebrated that a public parade was held in his honor – an unprecedented reception for a black entertainer at the height of Apartheid. He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1961 while promoting his album "The Big, Big Voice of Lovelace Watkins", music arranged and conducted by Ray Ellis. In addition to appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show, Lovelace also appeared on the Johnny Carson and Mike Douglas shows.

Nicknamed "The Black Sinatra", his stage personality was earthy and electric. However this charisma and the power and quality of his voice never quite came over on his record releases. As a result of this, plus poor management decisions and a Hollywood screen test that never transpired, Lovelace never reached his full potential in the United States.

Lovelace became popular in northern England, however, and the discerning Liverpool, Lancashire public helped make his debut at their Wookey Hollow's night club an overnight sensation, and he was recalled for a second show one week later.

In March of 1972, he married Anna Marie Fitzsimmons of Salford, Lancashire, and their baby son, named Alan, was born on the 4th April, 1972. Due to Lovelace's well-known philandering ways with women, the marriage was not destined to last.

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