Gloria Jones

American soul singer, songwriter & producer.

Born on 19.10.1945 in Cincinnati, Ohio

Sister of [a=Richard Jones]. Mother of [a=Rolan Bolan].

Gloria Jones' career began in a church gospel choir, which led to spots singing backing vocals for artists such as [a=Phil Spector] and [a=Bob Dylan]. Her singing talent and years of studying piano and composition led to a job writing for [l=Motown] at the behest of Pam Sawyer. Her most notable song was Tainted Love, which she did not write but recorded in 1964, and which would become one of the most covered Northern Soul songs in history - most notably by [a=Soft Cell]. Other notable singles she recorded included a cover of [a=The Dell-Vikings] Come Go With Me, Get it On (Part 1), To Know You Is To Love You, and a new version of Tainted Love recorded in 1976. Her songs were performed by [a=The Jackson 5], [a=Commodores], [a=Gladys Knight And The Pips], and others.

She has sung backing vocals for artists such as [a=Billy Preston], [a=Harry Nilsson] and [a=Neil Young], among others In 1972 she met [a=T. Rex] front man [a=Marc Bolan] with whom she would have a son. She played clavinet and sang backing vocals for T-Rex until late 1977 when a tragic accident occurred: she crashed her Austin Mini, which caused the death of Bolan and spelled the end of T-Rex. Initially Jones moved back to Los Angeles with their son Rolan Bolan, but she now lives in West Africa, and is involved with charity work.