Doris Troy

Doris Troy (born Doris Elaine Higginsen; January 6, 1937 – February 16, 2004) was an American R&B singer and songwriter, known to her fans as "Mama Soul". Her biggest hit was "Just One Look", a top-10 hit in 1963.

Life and career She was born as Doris Elaine Higginsen, She later took her grandmother's name and grew up as Doris Payne. Her parents disapproved of "subversive" forms of music like rhythm & blues, so she cut her teeth singing in her father's choir. At the age of 16, she was working as an usherette at the Apollo where she was discovered by James Brown. Under the name Doris Payne, she began songwriting and earned $100 in 1960 for the Dee Clark hit "How About That". She was also part of the original lineup of The Sweet Inspirations in 1963, with Cissy Houston and the two Warwicks, who were Houston's nieces. Taking her stage name from Helen of Troy, before she co-wrote and recorded "Just One Look" (the songwriting credits use the name Doris Payne). This song hit No. 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1963.

"Just One Look" was the only charting US hit for Troy. The song was recorded in 10 minutes in October 1962, with producer Buddy Lucas, as a demo for Atlantic Records. However, after Atlantic Records heard the demo, they decided not to re-record it, instead releasing it unchanged.

In 1968, her single "I'll Do Anything" was released in the UK on the Toast label. It was reviewed by Bob "The Bear" Hite of Canned Heat in the "Blind Date" section of Melody Maker. Hite said that he wasn't a fan of records with big symphony backings.

After moving to London in 1969, she was signed by The Beatles to their Apple Records label, Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, In addition, she also sang for Humble Pie, Kevin Ayers, Edgar Broughton, Mama, I Want to Sing! was also made into a motion picture, starring Ciara, Patti LaBelle, and Hill Harper, which was released on DVD in 2012.

Troy died from emphysema at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada, aged 67.

Singles Year Title Peak chart positions US Pop US R&B UK 1963 "Just One Look" 10 3 ― "What'cha Gonna Do About It" 102 21 37 "Tomorrow Is Another Day" 118 ― ― 1964 "Please Little Angel" 128 ― ― 1965 "Heartaches" ― ― ― "I'll Do Anything (He Wants Me to Do)" ― ― ― 1970 "Ain't That Cute" ― ― ― 1973 "Baby I Love You" ― ― ― 1974 "Stretchin' Out" ― ― ― 1976 "Black Star" ― ― ― 1977 "Can't Hold On" ― ― ― "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.