Melba Moore
Melba Moore (born October 29, 1945) is a trailblazing American singer and actress whose career spans Broadway stardom, chart-topping R&B hits, and dedicated social activism. Born Beatrice Melba Smith in New York City to Gertrude Melba Smith (singer Bonnie Davis) and big band leader Teddy Hill.
She was raised in Harlem and later Newark, New Jersey, after her mother remarried jazz pianist Clement Moorman. She graduated from Newark Arts High School (1958) and earned a B.A. in Music Education from Montclair State College in 1970. She married record manager Charles Huggins in 1974 (divorced in 1991); they had one daughter.
In 1967, she joined the original cast of Hair, eventually becoming the first Black actress to replace a white actress (Diane Keaton) in a lead role on Broadway. She won the 1970 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Lutiebelle in Purlie.
In 1995, she became the first Black woman to play Fantine in Les Misérables on Broadway. She co-starred in the 1972 variety show The Melba Moore-Clifton Davis Show (the first hosted by a Black couple) and appeared in films like The Fighting Temptations (2003).
Known for a powerful four-octave range, she evolved into a major R&B/disco star in the '70s and '80s, scoring hits like "This Is It," "Love's Comin' at Ya," and the chart-topper "Love the One I'm With (A Lot of Love)". She scored two #1 R&B hits in 1986: "Falling" and "A Little Bit More" (a duet with Freddie Jackson). Her 1990 recording of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was entered into the Congressional Record as the official Black National Anthem.
She was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame (2015) and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in August 2023. A role model for perseverance, she combines her performing career with community service, focusing on issues like domestic violence and women's shelters. A long-time advocate for civil and women’s rights, having worked with Coretta Scott King and Jesse Jackson.
She is still actively performing; her latest memoir, This Is It: Marvelous and Getting Better, was released in late November 2025.
A Portrait of Melba Moore
Written-By – D.C. Santana, L. Patillo 4:49
A2 Promised Land
Written-By – L. Huff, G. McFadden, J. Whitehead, V. Carstarphen 4:32
A3 I Don't Know No One Else To Turn To
Written-By – G. McFadden, J. Whitehead, V. Carstarphen 5:36
A4 Standing Right Here
Written-By – G. McFadden, J. Whitehead, V. Carstarphen 3:53
B1 Just Another Link
Written-By – G. McFadden, J. Whitehead, V. Carstarphen 3:26
B2 Living Free
Written-By – G. McFadden, J. Whitehead, V. Carstarphen 4:59
B3 Is This The End
Written-By – D. Brown, Tom Wallington, Bill Bloom 4:04
B4 Love And I Aren't Strangers Anymore
Written-By – G. McFadden, J. Whitehead, V. Carstarphen 5:04
Label: Buddah Records – BDS 5695
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk, Disco
A Portrait of Melba, released in 1977, is a highly-regarded album praised for its excellent production by McFadden & Whitehead and Melba Moore's powerful gospel-influenced vocals. While it was not a major commercial hit at the time, it is considered a strong entry in her discography by many fans and reviewers.
The album features lush Philly soul rhythms and arrangements, with gorgeous strings provided by MFSB.
Reviewers on Discogs praise the top-notch production and excellent sound quality, with one user noting how Moore's voice floats perfectly within the mix.
The sound is described as well-produced and played, balancing mellower moments with infectious, groovier tracks.
Moore's vocals are frequently described as "amazing," showcasing her "big gospel soul pipes" and impressive range.
Key Tracks:
"Standing Right Here": This jazzy funk groove and NYC club hit is a standout track and a favorite among many listeners.
"You Are My River": Reviewers mention this track starts as a lush ballad before turning into a hardcore funk stomp.
"Just Another Link": Another track highlighted for its "raw dog stomp" groove.
"Promised Land": An additional bonafide NYC Club hit on the album.
Despite the high quality praised by fans, the album was Moore's first on the Buddah label to fall short of the Billboard 200 and the R&B albums chart. The single "Standing Right Here" only reached minor positions on the R&B and Dance charts. However, its quality and the involvement of McFadden & Whitehead solidified its reputation among soul and disco enthusiasts over time.
Living To Give
Arranged By – Thom Bell
Songwriter – Gary Geld, Peter Udell
2:58
A2 Time And Love
Songwriter – Laura Nyro
3:10
A3 I Messed Up On A Good Thing
Songwriter – Clint Ballard Jr., Jim Fragale
2:39
A4 Purlie (From The Broadway Musical "Purlie")
Arranged By – Jimmy Wisner
Songwriter – Gary Geld, Peter Udell
2:38
A5 Captain St. Lucifer
Songwriter – Laura Nyro
3:21
A6 I Love Making Love To You
Songwriter – Andy Badale, Jim Fragale
2:53
B1 We're Living To Give (To Give To Each Other)
Songwriter – Andy Badale, Jim Fragale
3:05
B2 Sunny
Songwriter – Bobby Hebb
4:12
B3 The Flesh Failures (Let The Sun Shine In) (From The Broadway Musical "Hair")
Songwriter – Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado
3:18
B4 Easy To Be Hard (From The Broadway Musical "Hair")
Songwriter – Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado
3:38
B5 He Comes Down This Morning (From The Broadway Musical Version Of "Raisin In The Sun")
Songwriter – Judd Woldin, Robert Brittan
3:14
B6 The Facade
Songwriter – Jim Fragale, Lou Stallman
3:26
Label: Mercury – SR 61287
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1970
Genre: R&B Soul, Pop
Style: Musical, Soul
Melba Moore's 1970 debut, Living to Give, showcases her powerful voice and versatility, bridging Broadway, R&B, and Soul with potential disco vibes, though it was underpromoted despite her strong vocal talent and early promise as a dance-era star, establishing her as a significant, multifaceted artist early in a long career.
This marked Melba Moore's introduction to the recording world, following her Broadway success. It highlighted her beautiful, four-octave voice, demonstrating her range across genres like R&B, Soul, Jazz, and Pop.
The album hinted at her future as a disco queen, with strong R&B and Soul foundations, showcasing her ability to adapt. Despite its quality, it reportedly suffered from poor marketing, limiting its initial impact.
It laid the groundwork for her enduring career, proving her talent and setting her apart as a unique voice in music.
In essence, Living to Give is a strong, versatile debut from a major talent, offering a blend of soul and early dance potential that defined Moore's early path in music.