Lovelace Watkins

Lovelace Watkins (1938–1995) was a Las Vegas-based singer and performer who achieved fame in America as well as in Europe and Australia.

Watkins was born in New Jersey when his mother was only fourteen years old and was raised by his grandmother in New Brunswick. He studied microbiology at Rutgers University and also trained as a boxer. His operatically trained and signature booming voice, reminiscent of a swinging Paul Robeson, took him to Europe where he gained fame. He became so popular in Europe that he was invited to entertain at the Royal Command Performance for the Queen of the United Kingdom. The Times called him “the best entertainer on earth.” In South Africa he received two gold albums and was so celebrated that a public parade was held in his honor – an unprecedented reception for a black entertainer at the height of Apartheid. He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1961 while promoting his album "The Big, Big Voice of Lovelace Watkins", music arranged and conducted by Ray Ellis. In addition to appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show, Lovelace also appeared on the Johnny Carson and Mike Douglas shows. Lovelace recorded nine albums in the United States and in Europe and gained more notoriety in Europe and Australia than in the States.

Also nicknamed "The Black Sinatra" one of the greatest male pop singers of his time.

His stage personality was earthy and electric, and he could hold audiences spellbound in the palm of his hand. However this charisma and the power and quality of his voice never quite came over on his record releases. As a result of this, plus poor management decisions and a Hollywood screen test that never transpired Lovelace never reached his full potential in the United States; this man truly had one of the "greatest voices in the world". The discerning Liverpool public made his debut at their Wookey Hollow's night club an overnight sensation and he was recalled for a second show one week later. Being hailed the new "Elvis" for his looks, charisma and powerful voice, these appearances at Liverpool's famous cabaret club made him an immediate national star. His third Wookey Hollow caberet appearance was recorded and televised on BBC1 at 11.35pm on 8 May 1974. Following this, Lovelace Watkins at one time held the attendance record at the "Talk Of The Town" in London, England at the height of its prominence as an entertainment venue and did a "Command Performance" for Queen Elizabeth II. He appeared on Jess Yate's "Stars on Sunday", and after his last reappearance at the Wookey Hollow when he introduced his blonde wife, Lovelace sadly disappeared into obscurity as far as his UK fan base was concerned. Whether that was significant or not, Britain for some reason have been deprived of a remarkable voice and talent. Nearing the end of his music career Lovelace started a successful company that preped apartments and commercial buildings for rental companies in the Las Vegas area, and continued singing at various functions in Las Vegas. Lovelace died of leukemia in 1995.