Marcia Hines
Encyclopedia
Marcia Elaine Hines, AM
(born 20 July 1953 in Boston
, Massachusetts
, USA) is a vocalist, actress and TV personality who achieved success in her adopted homeland of Australia
. Hines made her debut, at the age of sixteen, in the Australian version of the stage musical Hair
and followed with the role of Mary Magdalene
in Jesus Christ Superstar
. She achieved her greatest commercial successes as a recording artist during the late 1970s with several hit singles, including cover version
s of "Fire and Rain
", "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself
", "You" and "Something's Missing"; and her Top Ten albums Marcia Shines, Shining and Ladies and Gentlemen. Hines was voted 'Queen of Pop' by TV Week
's readers for three consecutive years from 1976.
Hines stopped recording in the early 1980s until she returned with Right Here and Now in 1994, the same year she became an Australian citizen. She was the subject of the 2001 biography Diva: the life of Marcia Hines which coincided with the release of the album, Diva. Since 2003 she has been a judge on Australian Idol
, and her elevated profile led to a renewed interest in her as a performer. Her 2006 album, Discotheque, peaked at #6 on the Australian Recording Industry Association
(ARIA) albums chart.
Hines is the mother of singer Deni Hines
, with whom she performed on the duet single "Stomp!
" (2006). Hines lives near Newcastle, New South Wales
with Christopher Morrissey, her husband since 2005. Her status in the Australian music industry was recognised when she was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame
on 18 July 2007.
, Massachusetts
, U. S. to Jamaica
n parents, Eugene and Esmeralda Hines. Eugene died when Hines was six months old due to an operation to remove shrapnel from a war wound. Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell
is her cousin, as is the performer, Grace Jones
. She was raised with her older brother Dwight, by their mother and began singing as a nine-year old in her church choir. By her teens she was performing with groups in her local area and briefly used the stage-name Shantee Renee. At fourteen, Hines won a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music
but left after three months. A month after turning sixteen, Hines attended the Woodstock Festival
.
Harry M. Miller
and director Jim Sharman
who were visiting the U. S. to audition African-American singers in preparation for the new season of the Australian stage production of Hair
, which had already premiered in Sydney
on 6 June 1969. Because she was underage, Miller was made her legal guardian. When she made her debut in April 1970 Hines became the youngest person in the world to play a featured role in any production of Hair. It was produced by Miller and directed by Sharman. Fellow performers included Keith Glass, Sharon Redd
, Reg Livermore
, and John Waters
. During the show's run Hines learned she was pregnant; her daughter, Deni Hines
, was born in September 1970 and nine days later Hines returned to the stage to continue her role. The show was a major success. Hines was well received and an Australian tour followed. Miller and Sharman approached her to play Mary Magdalene
in the Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar
for 1973–1974. She became the first black woman to play Mary Magdalene anywhere in the world, and the role established her as a national star. Other cast members included Trevor White, Jon English
, Doug Parkinson
, Stevie Wright and John Paul Young
.
" and "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?". Hines toured with Daly-Wilson Big Band from Australia to United States
, supporting B. B. King
and Wilson Pickett
in Los Angeles
, then to Europe and into Soviet Union for a month.
A record contract with Robie Porter
's Wizard Records in July 1974 led to Hines' first solo single, a cover version
of James Taylor
's "Fire And Rain", that peaked at #17 on the Australian singles charts in May 1975. Five Top Ten singles were released between 1976 and 1979, including her cover versions of Artie Wayne
's "From the Inside", Burt Bacharach
/Hal David
's "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
", "What I Did For Love" (from A Chorus Line
) and Karen Carpenter
's "Something's Missing (in My Life)". Hines' biggest hit was with Tom Snow's
"You", which reached number 2 in the singles charts in Australia in October 1977. It was an up-tempo dance song, later covered in the U.S. by Rita Coolidge
. Top Ten Australian album chart success also occurred in the 1970s with Marcia Shines
peaking at #4 in January 1976, Shining #3 November 1976, Ladies and Gentlemen ... Marcia Hines #6 August 1977 and Marcia Hines Live Across Australia #7 in March 1978. Her albums have sold close to a million copies and Hines was the first Australian female performer to attain a Platinum record.
Hines was voted "Queen of Pop", the country's most popular female performer, each year from 1976 to 1978, by the readers of TV Week
. Hines was Australia's best-selling local act for 1977 and 1978, and she was the top concert attraction for 1976–1979 inclusive. Her success had been boosted by appearances on Australian Broadcasting Corporation
's (ABC) popular TV music show Countdown. Her touring band, the Marcia Hines Band, included drummer Mark Kennedy (ex-Spectrum
, Doug Parkinson in Focus
, Ayers Rock
), bass guitar
ist Jackie Orszaczky
, lead guitar
ist Stephen Housden (later of Little River Band
) and drummer/percussionist Peter Whitford. Hines was married to Kennedy during the late-1970s; he designed and made an elaborate and colourful stage costume for her. In 1978 and 1979, Hines also had her own TV series, Marcia Hines Music on the ABC
.
By November 1979, Hines had fallen out with Wizard Records' owner Robie Porter
, and moved on to the Midnight label under Warner Music Australia, after waiting out her contract she returned to recording to achieve a few more hits including the dance track version of Dusty Springfield
's "Your Love Still Brings Me To My Knees", which reached Top Ten in 1981. A compilation
Marcia Hines Greatest Hits, released by Porter's Wizard Records, peaked at #2 in January 1982. In April 1981, Hines' brother Dwight committed suicide, and Hines later recalled being given the news by her mother.
Hines combined with fellow Jesus Christ Superstar artist, Jon English
to release a duet single "Jokers & Queens" and an associated six track mini-album Jokers & Queens in July 1982. The album reached #36 and the single peaked at #62 on their respective charts. Her next album Love Sides and its singles "Love Side" and "Shadow in the Night" did not chart. Hines returned to theatre for a Jesus Christ Superstar revival in late 1983, and then decided to devote more time to raising her daughter. During this time she suffered with health and relationship problems.
, careful monitoring of her diet and a commitment to fitness. Hines performed the closing act of the 1990 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
. It was a turning-point for her and she later described the crowd ovation her most pleasing audience reception ever. Hines decided she would return to singing, while her daughter Deni was achieving her own successes initially singing with Rockmelons
for their top five hits "Ain't No Sunshine" and "That Word (L.O.V.E.)" and then solo for her top five "It's Alright". Hines returned to the stage with a performance in The Masters of Rhythm and Taste in 1993.
" (originally recorded by Irene Cara
) and "Time of Our Lives" were released with the latter peaking at #31. Hines recorded "Rise", an official song for the Australian team at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
. In September 2001, music producer and writer, Karen Dewey wrote Hines' fully authorised biography Diva: the life of Marcia Hines and Hines released a companion compilation CD
, Diva in October.
show Australian Idol
from 27 July 2003. She has been described as "the nice judge" and has been accused of being a 'fence-sitter' – unable to provide criticism of any kind. Hines counters such criticism with "Well you know, I’m living it, if you get my drift, so the advice I give the kids is the advice I’m living." The success of the program has led to further interest in her as a recording artist and in 2004 she released an album of cover versions, titled Hinesight – Songs from the Journey which featured a duet, with former Home and Away
star Belinda Emmett
, "Shower the People
". In 2005 Hines released a remixed version of her earlier hit "You", followed in 2006 by Discotheque an album containing her versions of disco
classics, which peaked at #6. Hines made a cameo appearance on Neighbours
in early 2007; on 18 July she was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame
, and during December she toured in support of Lionel Richie
. From 31 August 2008 the sixth season of Australian Idol
was broadcast with Hines continuing as a judge and is the only judge to appear in every season of Australian Idol.
On 26 January 2009, Hines was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia
.
born in Australia in September 1970. Hines had been performing in Hair and was seventeen years old. In an interview, Deni stated that her father "had Somalia
n and Ethiopia
n in him." Hines has been married four times: to Mark Kennedy (c. 1978) a drummer in the Marcia Hines Band, who also designed her stage costumes, and to Mr. Bayni; Since 28 April 2005, she has been married to Christopher Morrissey, a medical practitioner and brother of fashion designer Peter Morrissey.
Hines grew up with asthma
, missing months of schooling as a result of life-threatening attacks, and was diagnosed with diabetes after collapsing at her home in 1986. Her elder brother Dwight's death by suicide, in April 1981, devastated Hines, but her mother Esmeralda (Esme) helped her through their grief. Esme relocated to Australia to live with Hines and Deni in the 1980s, and died in May 2003.
a Jokers & Queens was recorded with Jon English
.
b "Jokers & Queens" was recorded with Jon English
.
c "To Love Somebody" was recorded with Brian Cadd
, Max Merritt
, Doug Parkinson
.
d "Stomp!
" was recorded with Deni Hines
, her daughter.
e "I'm Coming Out
" peaked at #41 Australian Club singles Chart.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 20 July 1953 in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, USA) is a vocalist, actress and TV personality who achieved success in her adopted homeland of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Hines made her debut, at the age of sixteen, in the Australian version of the stage musical Hair
Hair (musical)
Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is a rock musical with a book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot. A product of the hippie counter-culture and sexual revolution of the 1960s, several of its songs became anthems of the anti-Vietnam War peace movement...
and followed with the role of Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses...
in Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
. She achieved her greatest commercial successes as a recording artist during the late 1970s with several hit singles, including cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
s of "Fire and Rain
Fire and Rain
"Fire and Rain" is a folk/rock song written and performed by James Taylor. As a song on his second album, Sweet Baby James, the song engendered widespread attention for him. The album was released in February 1970, with the song being released as a single that month. "Fire and Rain" quickly rose to...
", "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself
I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself
"I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.-Original version:"I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself" was first recorded by Tommy Hunt in a session produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, with Burt Bacharach arranging and conducting...
", "You" and "Something's Missing"; and her Top Ten albums Marcia Shines, Shining and Ladies and Gentlemen. Hines was voted 'Queen of Pop' by TV Week
TV Week
TV Week is a weekly television magazine in Australia, first published as a Melbourne-only publication in December 1957 , and bearing a strong affiliation to television station GTV.The publication is still publishing weekly...
's readers for three consecutive years from 1976.
Hines stopped recording in the early 1980s until she returned with Right Here and Now in 1994, the same year she became an Australian citizen. She was the subject of the 2001 biography Diva: the life of Marcia Hines which coincided with the release of the album, Diva. Since 2003 she has been a judge on Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
, and her elevated profile led to a renewed interest in her as a performer. Her 2006 album, Discotheque, peaked at #6 on the Australian Recording Industry Association
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
(ARIA) albums chart.
Hines is the mother of singer Deni Hines
Deni Hines
Dohnyale "Deni" Sharon Hines is a solo R&B artist who had chart success in the 1990s in Australia and New Zealand. She is the daughter of Marcia Hines....
, with whom she performed on the duet single "Stomp!
Stomp!
"Stomp!" is a song released by The Brothers Johnson in 1979. It reached number one on the Dance singles chart.. It reached number one on the R&B singles chart and peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1980. It was a bigger success in the UK, where it peaked at number 6 on the...
" (2006). Hines lives near Newcastle, New South Wales
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
with Christopher Morrissey, her husband since 2005. Her status in the Australian music industry was recognised when she was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame
ARIA Hall of Fame
Since 1988 the Australian Recording Industry Association has inducted artists into its ARIA Hall of Fame. While most have been recognised at the annual ARIA Music Awards, in 2005 ARIA sought to create a separate standalone "ARIA Icons: Hall of Fame" event as only one or two acts could be inducted...
on 18 July 2007.
Early years: before 1970
Born Marcia Elaine Hines in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, U. S. to Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
n parents, Eugene and Esmeralda Hines. Eugene died when Hines was six months old due to an operation to remove shrapnel from a war wound. Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell
Colin Powell
Colin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African American to serve in that position. During his military...
is her cousin, as is the performer, Grace Jones
Grace Jones
Grace Jones is a Jamaican-American singer, model and actress.Jones secured a record deal with Island Records in 1977, which resulted in a string of dance-club hits. In the late 1970s, she adapted the emerging electronic music style and adopted a severe, androgynous look with square-cut hair and...
. She was raised with her older brother Dwight, by their mother and began singing as a nine-year old in her church choir. By her teens she was performing with groups in her local area and briefly used the stage-name Shantee Renee. At fourteen, Hines won a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music
New England Conservatory of Music
The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, is the oldest independent school of music in the United States.The conservatory is home each year to 750 students pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies along with 1400 more in its Preparatory School as well as the School of...
but left after three months. A month after turning sixteen, Hines attended the Woodstock Festival
Woodstock Festival
Woodstock Music & Art Fair was a music festival, billed as "An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music". It was held at Max Yasgur's 600-acre dairy farm in the Catskills near the hamlet of White Lake in the town of Bethel, New York, from August 15 to August 18, 1969...
.
1970–1974: Hair & Jesus Christ Superstar
At the age of sixteen, Hines was "discovered" by Australian entrepreneurEntrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
Harry M. Miller
Harry M. Miller
-Early career:Born in New Zealand, Miller grew up in Grey Lynn, Auckland, and moved to Australia in 1963, where he established a company called Pan Pacific Productions with Keith and Dennis Wong, owners of the noted Sydney nightclub "Chequers"...
and director Jim Sharman
Jim Sharman
James "Jim" Sharman , the son of boxing tent entrepreneur Jimmy Sharman, is a director and writer for film and stage with over 70 productions to his credit...
who were visiting the U. S. to audition African-American singers in preparation for the new season of the Australian stage production of Hair
Hair (musical)
Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is a rock musical with a book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot. A product of the hippie counter-culture and sexual revolution of the 1960s, several of its songs became anthems of the anti-Vietnam War peace movement...
, which had already premiered in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
on 6 June 1969. Because she was underage, Miller was made her legal guardian. When she made her debut in April 1970 Hines became the youngest person in the world to play a featured role in any production of Hair. It was produced by Miller and directed by Sharman. Fellow performers included Keith Glass, Sharon Redd
Sharon Redd
Sharon Redd was an American singer from New York. She was the half sister of R&B singer Pennye Ford.-Biography and career:...
, Reg Livermore
Reg Livermore
Reginald Dawson Livermore AO is an Australian actor, singer, theatrical performer and television presenter.-Childhood:From a young age, Livermore demonstrated an interest in the performing arts...
, and John Waters
John Waters (actor)
John Russell Waters is a film, theatre and television actor and musician best known in Australia, to where he moved in 1968...
. During the show's run Hines learned she was pregnant; her daughter, Deni Hines
Deni Hines
Dohnyale "Deni" Sharon Hines is a solo R&B artist who had chart success in the 1990s in Australia and New Zealand. She is the daughter of Marcia Hines....
, was born in September 1970 and nine days later Hines returned to the stage to continue her role. The show was a major success. Hines was well received and an Australian tour followed. Miller and Sharman approached her to play Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses...
in the Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
for 1973–1974. She became the first black woman to play Mary Magdalene anywhere in the world, and the role established her as a national star. Other cast members included Trevor White, Jon English
Jon English
Jonathan James "Jon" English is an Australian rock singer, musician, actor and writer. English emigrated to Australia with his parents in 1961...
, Doug Parkinson
Doug Parkinson
Douglas "Doug" Parkinson is an Australian singer who first came to fame with his band, Doug Parkinson In Focus, in 1969. He has had numerous hits on the Australian Top 40 charts.-Career:...
, Stevie Wright and John Paul Young
John Paul Young
John Paul Young is an Australian pop singer who had a 1978 worldwide hit with "Love Is in the Air"...
.
1974–1984: Queen of Pop and beyond
When Jesus Christ Superstar finished in February 1974, Hines joined the jazz orchestra, Daly-Wilson Big Band, releasing the album Daly-Wilson Big Band featuring Marcia Hines in 1975. Hines' vocals were on the cover songs "Ain't No Mountain High EnoughAin't No Mountain High Enough
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" is an R&B/soul song written by Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson in 1966 for the Tamla Motown label. The composition was first successful as a 1967 hit single recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, becoming a hit again in 1970 when recorded by former Supremes...
" and "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?". Hines toured with Daly-Wilson Big Band from Australia to United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, supporting B. B. King
B. B. King
Riley B. King , known by the stage name B.B. King, is an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter.Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at No.3 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. According to Edward M...
and Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett was an American R&B/Soul singer and songwriter.A major figure in the development of American soul music, Pickett recorded over 50 songs which made the US R&B charts, and frequently crossed over to the US Billboard Hot 100...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, then to Europe and into Soviet Union for a month.
A record contract with Robie Porter
Robie Porter
Robie Porter is an Australian country, pop/rock musician, producer and record label owner.Beginning in 1959 he performed under the stage name Rob E.G. and recorded lap steel guitar instrumentals or covers of country-style vocals. He provided four top ten hits including two #1 hits in Sydney with...
's Wizard Records in July 1974 led to Hines' first solo single, a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of James Taylor
James Taylor
James Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000....
's "Fire And Rain", that peaked at #17 on the Australian singles charts in May 1975. Five Top Ten singles were released between 1976 and 1979, including her cover versions of Artie Wayne
Artie Wayne
Artie Wayne is an American, semi-retired record producer, award winning songwriter, and active blogger.Artie Wayne has pursued an eclectic array of vocations and avocations, including songwriter, singer, producer, publisher, concert promoter, restaurant host, and wearable artist...
's "From the Inside", Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach
Burt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
/Hal David
Hal David
Harold Lane "Hal" David is an American lyricist. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. David is best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach.-Career:...
's "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself
"I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.-Original version:"I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself" was first recorded by Tommy Hunt in a session produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, with Burt Bacharach arranging and conducting...
", "What I Did For Love" (from A Chorus Line
A Chorus Line
A Chorus Line is a 1975 musical about Broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line. The book was authored by James Kirkwood, Jr. and Nicholas Dante, lyrics were written by Edward Kleban, and music was composed by Marvin Hamlisch....
) and Karen Carpenter
Karen Carpenter
Karen Anne Carpenter was an American singer and drummer. She and her brother, Richard, formed the 1970s duo The Carpenters. She was a drummer of exceptional skill, but she is best remembered for her vocal performances of idealistic romantic ballads of true love...
's "Something's Missing (in My Life)". Hines' biggest hit was with Tom Snow's
Tom Snow (songwriter)
Thomas Righter Snow is an American songwriter.He wrote songs for Joe Cocker with , Selena , Olivia Newton-John , Melissa Manchester , The Pointer Sisters , Barbra Streisand, Rita Coolidge Thomas Righter Snow is an American songwriter.He wrote songs for Joe Cocker ("Even a Fool Would Let Go", "Love...
"You", which reached number 2 in the singles charts in Australia in October 1977. It was an up-tempo dance song, later covered in the U.S. by Rita Coolidge
Rita Coolidge
Rita Coolidge is a multiple Grammy Award-winning American vocalist. During the 1970s and 1980s, she charted hits on Billboard's Pop, Country, Adult Contemporary and Jazz charts.-Career:...
. Top Ten Australian album chart success also occurred in the 1970s with Marcia Shines
Marcia Shines
Marcia Shines was the debut album in Australia as a solo artist for Afro-Australian singer Marcia Hines. Hines had been resident in Australia since 1970, when she was brought here by Harry M Miller to appear in the Australian production of Hair...
peaking at #4 in January 1976, Shining #3 November 1976, Ladies and Gentlemen ... Marcia Hines #6 August 1977 and Marcia Hines Live Across Australia #7 in March 1978. Her albums have sold close to a million copies and Hines was the first Australian female performer to attain a Platinum record.
Hines was voted "Queen of Pop", the country's most popular female performer, each year from 1976 to 1978, by the readers of TV Week
TV Week
TV Week is a weekly television magazine in Australia, first published as a Melbourne-only publication in December 1957 , and bearing a strong affiliation to television station GTV.The publication is still publishing weekly...
. Hines was Australia's best-selling local act for 1977 and 1978, and she was the top concert attraction for 1976–1979 inclusive. Her success had been boosted by appearances on Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
's (ABC) popular TV music show Countdown. Her touring band, the Marcia Hines Band, included drummer Mark Kennedy (ex-Spectrum
Spectrum (band)
Spectrum is an Australian progressive rock band that formed in Melbourne in 1969 and, in its original period, remained in existence until 1973. Its members also performed under the alter-ego Indelible Murtceps...
, Doug Parkinson in Focus
Doug Parkinson
Douglas "Doug" Parkinson is an Australian singer who first came to fame with his band, Doug Parkinson In Focus, in 1969. He has had numerous hits on the Australian Top 40 charts.-Career:...
, Ayers Rock
Ayers Rock (band)
Ayers Rock was a jazz fusion/progressive rock band from Melbourne, Australia. The group formed in 1973, and included many well-travelled rock performers; drummer Mark Kennedy had previously played in Spectrum, and played on sessions for King Harvest and Friends...
), bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
ist Jackie Orszaczky
Jackie Orszaczky
Jackie Orszaczky was a Hungarian-Australian musician, arranger, and record producer, playing mainly bass guitar, but also various other instruments.-Work:...
, lead guitar
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
ist Stephen Housden (later of Little River Band
Little River Band
Little River Band is an Australian rock band, formed in Melbourne in early 1975.The group chose the name after passing a road sign leading to the Victorian township of Little River, near Geelong, on the way to a performance. Little River Band enjoyed sustained commercial success in not only...
) and drummer/percussionist Peter Whitford. Hines was married to Kennedy during the late-1970s; he designed and made an elaborate and colourful stage costume for her. In 1978 and 1979, Hines also had her own TV series, Marcia Hines Music on the ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
.
By November 1979, Hines had fallen out with Wizard Records' owner Robie Porter
Robie Porter
Robie Porter is an Australian country, pop/rock musician, producer and record label owner.Beginning in 1959 he performed under the stage name Rob E.G. and recorded lap steel guitar instrumentals or covers of country-style vocals. He provided four top ten hits including two #1 hits in Sydney with...
, and moved on to the Midnight label under Warner Music Australia, after waiting out her contract she returned to recording to achieve a few more hits including the dance track version of Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'BrienSources use both Isabel and Isobel as the spelling of her second name. OBE , known professionally as Dusty Springfield and dubbed The White Queen of Soul, was a British pop singer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s...
's "Your Love Still Brings Me To My Knees", which reached Top Ten in 1981. A compilation
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
Marcia Hines Greatest Hits, released by Porter's Wizard Records, peaked at #2 in January 1982. In April 1981, Hines' brother Dwight committed suicide, and Hines later recalled being given the news by her mother.
Hines combined with fellow Jesus Christ Superstar artist, Jon English
Jon English
Jonathan James "Jon" English is an Australian rock singer, musician, actor and writer. English emigrated to Australia with his parents in 1961...
to release a duet single "Jokers & Queens" and an associated six track mini-album Jokers & Queens in July 1982. The album reached #36 and the single peaked at #62 on their respective charts. Her next album Love Sides and its singles "Love Side" and "Shadow in the Night" did not chart. Hines returned to theatre for a Jesus Christ Superstar revival in late 1983, and then decided to devote more time to raising her daughter. During this time she suffered with health and relationship problems.
1984–1994: Hiatus
Theatre projects for Hines, from 1984, included Big River, Are You Lonesome Tonight? and Jerry's Girls. In 1986 a fall in her kitchen resulted in the diagnosis of her diabetes, which was treated by daily injections of insulinInsulin
Insulin is a hormone central to regulating carbohydrate and fat metabolism in the body. Insulin causes cells in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood, storing it as glycogen in the liver and muscle....
, careful monitoring of her diet and a commitment to fitness. Hines performed the closing act of the 1990 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
The Sydney Mardi Gras is an annual LGBTQI pride parade and festival in Sydney, Australia, and draws in thousands of visitors from around Australia and overseas...
. It was a turning-point for her and she later described the crowd ovation her most pleasing audience reception ever. Hines decided she would return to singing, while her daughter Deni was achieving her own successes initially singing with Rockmelons
Rockmelons
Rockmelons, often referred to as the Rockies, are an Australian Pop/Dance/R&B group formed in 1983 in Sydney. They are based around Bryon Jones, his brother Jonathon Jones and Raymond Medhurst. They had two Top Five hit singles in the early 1990s with "Ain't No Sunshine" and "That Word ", both sung...
for their top five hits "Ain't No Sunshine" and "That Word (L.O.V.E.)" and then solo for her top five "It's Alright". Hines returned to the stage with a performance in The Masters of Rhythm and Taste in 1993.
1994–2002: Recording again
In March 1994, Hines toured nationally for the first time in seven years. She signed a new contract with Warner Music Australia to release Right Here and Now in October, which peaked at #21; its singles "Rain (Let the Children Play)" peaked at #47 and "Give it All You've Got" had less success. Her career gradually revived with concert and TV appearances. By 1998, Hines enlisted Rockmelons' members Bryon Jones and Ray Medhurst as producers for Time of Our Lives which charted from August 1999, and peaked at #17. The singles "Flashdance, What A FeelingFlashdance... What a Feeling
"Flashdance... What a Feeling" is a song from the 1983 film Flashdance, written by Giorgio Moroder, Keith Forsey, and Irene Cara, and performed by Cara. Despite the title, the word "Flashdance" is never used in the lyrics; however, the line "In a flash, take a hold of my heart" refers to the...
" (originally recorded by Irene Cara
Irene Cara
Irene Cara is an American singer and actress. Cara won an Academy Award in 1984 in the category of Best Original Song for co-writing "Flashdance... What a Feeling." She is also known for her recording of the song "Fame", and she also starred in the 1980 film Fame.She married Hollywood stuntman...
) and "Time of Our Lives" were released with the latter peaking at #31. Hines recorded "Rise", an official song for the Australian team at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
. In September 2001, music producer and writer, Karen Dewey wrote Hines' fully authorised biography Diva: the life of Marcia Hines and Hines released a companion compilation CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
, Diva in October.
2003–current: Australian Idol and more
In May 2003, Hines endured the illness and death of her mother Esme, comforting her as she died literally in her arms; she returned to the public eye with her role as a judge on the televisionTelevision
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
show Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
from 27 July 2003. She has been described as "the nice judge" and has been accused of being a 'fence-sitter' – unable to provide criticism of any kind. Hines counters such criticism with "Well you know, I’m living it, if you get my drift, so the advice I give the kids is the advice I’m living." The success of the program has led to further interest in her as a recording artist and in 2004 she released an album of cover versions, titled Hinesight – Songs from the Journey which featured a duet, with former Home and Away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
star Belinda Emmett
Belinda Emmett
Belinda 'Belle' Jane Emmett was an Australian actress and singer. She was married to television personality Rove McManus and was known for her roles in the TV drama series Home and Away and All Saints.-Early life:...
, "Shower the People
Shower the People
"Shower the People" is the opening track on James Taylor's 1976 album In the Pocket. The song reached #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S. that fall, remaining in the Top 40 for eight weeks...
". In 2005 Hines released a remixed version of her earlier hit "You", followed in 2006 by Discotheque an album containing her versions of disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
classics, which peaked at #6. Hines made a cameo appearance on Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
in early 2007; on 18 July she was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame
ARIA Hall of Fame
Since 1988 the Australian Recording Industry Association has inducted artists into its ARIA Hall of Fame. While most have been recognised at the annual ARIA Music Awards, in 2005 ARIA sought to create a separate standalone "ARIA Icons: Hall of Fame" event as only one or two acts could be inducted...
, and during December she toured in support of Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie
Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records...
. From 31 August 2008 the sixth season of Australian Idol
Australian Idol (season 6)
The sixth season of Australian Idol premiered on Sunday, 24 August 2008, on Network Ten. The season finale aired live on Sunday, 23 November 2008. The winner was Wes Carr with Luke Dickens as runner-up.-Changes to Format:...
was broadcast with Hines continuing as a judge and is the only judge to appear in every season of Australian Idol.
On 26 January 2009, Hines was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
.
Private life
Hines has a daughter Deni HinesDeni Hines
Dohnyale "Deni" Sharon Hines is a solo R&B artist who had chart success in the 1990s in Australia and New Zealand. She is the daughter of Marcia Hines....
born in Australia in September 1970. Hines had been performing in Hair and was seventeen years old. In an interview, Deni stated that her father "had Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
n and Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
n in him." Hines has been married four times: to Mark Kennedy (c. 1978) a drummer in the Marcia Hines Band, who also designed her stage costumes, and to Mr. Bayni; Since 28 April 2005, she has been married to Christopher Morrissey, a medical practitioner and brother of fashion designer Peter Morrissey.
Hines grew up with asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
, missing months of schooling as a result of life-threatening attacks, and was diagnosed with diabetes after collapsing at her home in 1986. Her elder brother Dwight's death by suicide, in April 1981, devastated Hines, but her mother Esmeralda (Esme) helped her through their grief. Esme relocated to Australia to live with Hines and Deni in the 1980s, and died in May 2003.
Discography
Albums
| Year | Title | Label | Certification | Peak chart position | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... |
NZ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
||||
| 1975 | Marcia Shines Marcia Shines Marcia Shines was the debut album in Australia as a solo artist for Afro-Australian singer Marcia Hines. Hines had been resident in Australia since 1970, when she was brought here by Harry M Miller to appear in the Australian production of Hair... |
Wizard Records | — | 4 | — |
| 1976 | Shining | Wizard | — | 3 | — |
| 1977 | Ladies and Gentlemen | Wizard | — | 6 | — |
| 1978 | Marcia Hines Live Across Australia | Wizard | — | 7 | — |
| 1979 | Ooh Child | Wizard | — | 15 | — |
| 1981 | Take it from the Boys | Midnight Records | — | 16 | — |
| 1982 | Marcia Hines Greatest Hits | Wizard Records | — | 2 | — |
| 1982 | Jokers & Queens | Warner Music Australia | — | 36 | — |
| 1983 | With All My Love | Warner | — | 63 | — |
| 1985 | Complete Marcia Hines 1975–1984 | Warner | — | 59 | — |
| 1994 | Right Here and Now | Warner | — | 21 | — |
| 1999 | Time of Our Lives | Warner | — | 17 | — |
| 2001 | Diva | Warner | — | 63 | — |
| 2004 | Hinesight | Warner | — | 12 | — |
| 2004 | Marcia: Greatest Hits 1975–1983 | Warner | — | 67 | — |
| 2006 | Discotheque | Warner / Liberation Music | Gold | 6 | — |
| 2007 | The Essential Marcia Hines (remastered) | Warner | — | — | — |
| 2007 | Life | Warner | — | 21 | — |
| 2010 | Marcia Sings Tapestry | Universal | — | 16 | — |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | |||||
a Jokers & Queens was recorded with Jon English
Jon English
Jonathan James "Jon" English is an Australian rock singer, musician, actor and writer. English emigrated to Australia with his parents in 1961...
.
Singles
| Year | Title | Album | Label | Peak chart position | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... |
NZ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
||||
| 1975 | "Fire and Rain Fire and Rain "Fire and Rain" is a folk/rock song written and performed by James Taylor. As a song on his second album, Sweet Baby James, the song engendered widespread attention for him. The album was released in February 1970, with the song being released as a single that month. "Fire and Rain" quickly rose to... " |
Marcia Shines | Wizard Records | 17 | — |
| 1975 | "From the Inside" | Marcia Shines | Wizard | 10 | — |
| 1976 | "Don't Let the Grass Grow" | Marcia Shines | Wizard | 85 | — |
| 1976 | "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.-Original version:"I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself" was first recorded by Tommy Hunt in a session produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, with Burt Bacharach arranging and conducting... " |
Marcia Shines | Wizard | 6 | — |
| 1977 | "(Until) Your Love Broke Through" | Shining | Wizard | 38 | — |
| 1977 | "What I Did for Love" | Ladies and Genlteman | Wizard | 6 | — |
| 1977 | "You" | Ladies and Gentlemen | Wizard | 1 | |
| 1978 | "Music is My Life" | single only release | Wizard | 28 | — |
| 1978 | "Let the Music Play" | Ooh Child | Wizard | 92 | — |
| 1979 | "Something's Missing (in My Life)" | Ooh Child | Wizard | 9 | — |
| 1980 | "Where Did We Go Wrong?" | Ooh Child | Wizard | 62 | — |
| 1981 | "Your Love Still Brings Me to My Knees" | Take it from the Boys | Midnight Records | 10 | — |
| 1981 | "What a Bitch is Love" | Take it from the Boys | Midnight | 51 | — |
| 1982 | "Jokers & Queens" | Jokers & Queens | Midnight | 62 | — |
| 1994 | "Rain (Let the Children Play)" | Right Here and Now | Warner Music Australia | 47 | 35 |
| 1994 | "Give it All You've Got" | Right Here and Now | Warner | 53 | — |
| 1999 | "What a Feeling" | Time of Our Lives | Warner | 66 | 23 |
| 1999 | "Makin' My Way" | Time of Our Lives | Warner | 71 | — |
| 1999 | "Time of Our Lives" | Time of Our Lives | Warner | 31 | — |
| 1999 | "Woo Me" | Time of Our Lives | Warner | 56 | — |
| 2000 | "Rise" | Diva | Warner / Liberation Music | 116 | — |
| 2001 | "(I've Got to) Believe" | single only release | Warner / Liberation Music | 172 | — |
| 2003 | "To Love Somebody" | single only release | Warner / Liberation Music | 96 | — |
| 2005 | "You" | re-release | Warner / Liberation Music | 59 | — |
| 2006 | "Stomp! Stomp! "Stomp!" is a song released by The Brothers Johnson in 1979. It reached number one on the Dance singles chart.. It reached number one on the R&B singles chart and peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1980. It was a bigger success in the UK, where it peaked at number 6 on the... |
Discotheque | Warner / Liberation Music | 43 | — |
| 2007 | "I'm Coming Out I'm Coming Out "I'm Coming Out" is a hit single released by Motown singer Diana Ross in 1980, written and produced by Chic members Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers for her album diana .-Background:... " |
Discotheque | Warner / Liberation Music | — | — |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | |||||
b "Jokers & Queens" was recorded with Jon English
Jon English
Jonathan James "Jon" English is an Australian rock singer, musician, actor and writer. English emigrated to Australia with his parents in 1961...
.
c "To Love Somebody" was recorded with Brian Cadd
Brian Cadd
Brian George Cadd is an Australian singer-songwriter, keyboardist and producer who has performed as a member of The Groop, Axiom, Flying Burrito Brothers and solo...
, Max Merritt
Max Merritt
Max Merritt is a New Zealand-born singer-songwriter and guitarist who is renowned as an interpreter of soul music and R&B...
, Doug Parkinson
Doug Parkinson
Douglas "Doug" Parkinson is an Australian singer who first came to fame with his band, Doug Parkinson In Focus, in 1969. He has had numerous hits on the Australian Top 40 charts.-Career:...
.
d "Stomp!
Stomp!
"Stomp!" is a song released by The Brothers Johnson in 1979. It reached number one on the Dance singles chart.. It reached number one on the R&B singles chart and peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1980. It was a bigger success in the UK, where it peaked at number 6 on the...
" was recorded with Deni Hines
Deni Hines
Dohnyale "Deni" Sharon Hines is a solo R&B artist who had chart success in the 1990s in Australia and New Zealand. She is the daughter of Marcia Hines....
, her daughter.
e "I'm Coming Out
I'm Coming Out
"I'm Coming Out" is a hit single released by Motown singer Diana Ross in 1980, written and produced by Chic members Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers for her album diana .-Background:...
" peaked at #41 Australian Club singles Chart.