Lesley Duncan

Biography

One of England's top session vocalists, Lesley Duncan sang on recordings by Elton John, the Dave Clark 5, Pink Floyd, the Alan Parsons Project, Michael Chapman, Joyce Everson and the soundtrack of Jesus Christ Superstar. Her songs have been covered by Elton John, Olivia-Newton John and Long John Baldry.

Although her debut 1963 single, "I Want A Steady", credited to Lesley Duncan and The Jokers was a commercial failure, Duncan found success, six years later, when Elton John included her tune, "Love Song", on his album, Tumbleweed Connection. The song's popularity led to a recording contract with CBS Columbia. Her debut eponymous-titled album, produced by her husband and keyboards player, Jimmy Horowitz, included her song, "Sing Children Sing", featuring John on piano. Duncan and John continued to collaborate on Duncan's 1976 album, Moonbathing, which included a live duet version of "Love Song".

While her vocals and songwriting brought her respect from the British music press, Duncan was unable to breakthrough as a soloist. Dropped by MCA, in 1976, due to poor album sales, she continued to work, with producer Tony Cox, as a singles artist until 1986. Her most recent album appearance came, in 1979, when she sang on a tune, "If I Could Change Your Mind, on Alan Parsons Project's album, Eve.

Duncan's early albums, Sing Children Sing and Earth Mother, were released on CD in the early 2000s. She continues to perform with Jimmy Horowitz on keyboards and Chris Spedding on guitar. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide