Lenny Williams- Exclusive Interview- Thurs @ 4 PM PST

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, the trumpet in elementary school fueled his interest in music. Lenny’s skills as a vocalist were first nurtured  singing in gospel choirs and groups around the Bay Area,  working alongside up-and-coming artist Sly Stone, Andre Crouch, Billy Preston and members of the Hawkins family--Edwin, Walter and Tramaine. After winning several local talent contests, Williams signed his first record deal with Fantasy Records. Cut two singles for the label, including “Lisa’s Gone,” a classic among British soul music lovers, and “Feelin Blue,” written by John Fogerty of Credence Clearwater Revival.  Lenny then spent  time with Atlantic Records, put his solo career on hold in 1972, when he joined Tower of Power. Including “So Very Hard To Go,” /“Don’t Change Horses ,” During his two years with the group, Lenny participated in three milestone albums, Tower Of Power, Back To Oakland, and Urban Renewal, while touring non-stop throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. At the end of 1975, Lenny returned to his solo projects.  Initially signing with Motown in 1972, he later moved to ABC Records in 1977.  Over the next four years, Lenny scored ten charted hits, including “Shoo Doo Fu Fu Ooh,” “Choosing You,” “You Got Me Running,” “Love Hurt Me Love Healed Me,” and “Midnight Girl.”  Four more albums from 1977 to 1980-- Choosing You, his first gold LP, Spark of Love, Love Current, and Let’s Do ItToday.  These albumsestablished asolidfollowing ,and the impact of his music can still be felt, particularly the mega-hit “Cause I Love You”