Debra Byrd, a vocal coach for such shows as American Idol, Canadian Idol, Military Idol, The Voice, Majors and Minors, and others, died in Los Angeles on Tuesday, March 5. She was 72 and no cause or location was given.
Byrd’s students included Grammy winners, recording artists, actors, musicians, and Broadway stars. She worked closely with Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Bob Dylan, Barry Manilow and many others.
Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Byrd attended Kent State University and studied at the Karamu and Dobama Theaters. She went on to perform with Barry Manilow for many years, touring around the world as part of Ladyflash, the featured backup group for Manilow.
They released one hit of their own in 1976, Street Singin.’ The tune, which was written and arranged by Manilow, reached #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 record chart.
“This is one of the saddest days of my life. I just can’t wrap...
Byrd’s students included Grammy winners, recording artists, actors, musicians, and Broadway stars. She worked closely with Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Bob Dylan, Barry Manilow and many others.
Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Byrd attended Kent State University and studied at the Karamu and Dobama Theaters. She went on to perform with Barry Manilow for many years, touring around the world as part of Ladyflash, the featured backup group for Manilow.
They released one hit of their own in 1976, Street Singin.’ The tune, which was written and arranged by Manilow, reached #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 record chart.
“This is one of the saddest days of my life. I just can’t wrap...
- 3/7/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Armelia McQueen, the vibrant singer and actress who starred on Broadway in Ain’t Misbehavin’ and played Whoopi Goldberg’s sister in Ghost, died Oct. 3 in Los Angeles following a brief illness, her family announced. She was 68.
McQueen also portrayed the Red Queen in 100 episodes of the Disney Channel series Adventures in Wonderland and recurred for four seasons as the chronic patient Shula Whitaker on the 2011-15 CW drama Hart of Dixie.
McQueen won a Theatre World Award for best debut performance for her turn in the original 1978-82 production of Ain’t Misbehavin’, working alongside the likes of Charlayne ...
McQueen also portrayed the Red Queen in 100 episodes of the Disney Channel series Adventures in Wonderland and recurred for four seasons as the chronic patient Shula Whitaker on the 2011-15 CW drama Hart of Dixie.
McQueen won a Theatre World Award for best debut performance for her turn in the original 1978-82 production of Ain’t Misbehavin’, working alongside the likes of Charlayne ...
- 10/15/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Armelia McQueen, the vibrant singer and actress who starred on Broadway in Ain’t Misbehavin’ and played Whoopi Goldberg’s sister in Ghost, died Oct. 3 in Los Angeles following a brief illness, her family announced. She was 68.
McQueen also portrayed the Red Queen in 100 episodes of the Disney Channel series Adventures in Wonderland and recurred for four seasons as the chronic patient Shula Whitaker on the 2011-15 CW drama Hart of Dixie.
McQueen won a Theatre World Award for best debut performance for her turn in the original 1978-82 production of Ain’t Misbehavin’, working alongside the likes of Charlayne ...
McQueen also portrayed the Red Queen in 100 episodes of the Disney Channel series Adventures in Wonderland and recurred for four seasons as the chronic patient Shula Whitaker on the 2011-15 CW drama Hart of Dixie.
McQueen won a Theatre World Award for best debut performance for her turn in the original 1978-82 production of Ain’t Misbehavin’, working alongside the likes of Charlayne ...
- 10/15/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Actress Armelia McQueen, known for her roles in Broadway’s “Ain’t Misbehavin'” and the film “Ghost,” has died at the age of 68.
Her friend Dorian Hannaway confirmed McQueen’s passing on Sunday, Oct. 3.
“You are truly an angel now. My dear friend Armelia crossed over yesterday,” Hannaway wrote in a Facebook post. “She leaves us cherishing her memory as she was one of the greatest friends you could ever have. The only thing bigger than her beautiful soul was her extraordinary talent.”
McQueen was part of the original cast for “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” which eventually led to her Broadway debut when the cabaret musical joined the honored ranks of theater productions to be performed on Broadway in 1978. Her performance in the musical earned a Theatre World award the same year.
Apart from her theater career, McQueen also appeared in numerous films and television shows. Her most notable role was the...
Her friend Dorian Hannaway confirmed McQueen’s passing on Sunday, Oct. 3.
“You are truly an angel now. My dear friend Armelia crossed over yesterday,” Hannaway wrote in a Facebook post. “She leaves us cherishing her memory as she was one of the greatest friends you could ever have. The only thing bigger than her beautiful soul was her extraordinary talent.”
McQueen was part of the original cast for “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” which eventually led to her Broadway debut when the cabaret musical joined the honored ranks of theater productions to be performed on Broadway in 1978. Her performance in the musical earned a Theatre World award the same year.
Apart from her theater career, McQueen also appeared in numerous films and television shows. Her most notable role was the...
- 10/5/2020
- by Eli Countryman
- Variety Film + TV
Armelia McQueen, who rose to Broadway stardom with her debut in 1978’s Ain’t Misbehavin’ and played the sister of Whoopi Goldberg’s haunted character in 1990’s Ghost, died Saturday. She was 68.
Her death was confirmed by her friend Dorian Hannaway in a Facebook post Sunday. “My dear friend Armelia crossed over yesterday,” Hannaway wrote. “She leaves us cherishing her memory as she was one of the greatest friends you could ever have. The only thing bigger than her beautiful soul was her extraordinary talent. She gave us such joy in her many turns on the Broadway stage as well as her film and TV roles. She was brilliant in Ain’t Misbehavin’ and so many other shows.”
A cause of death has not been released, and information on survivors was not immediately available.
Born in North Carolina and raised in New York City, McQueen was in the original Off Broadway cast...
Her death was confirmed by her friend Dorian Hannaway in a Facebook post Sunday. “My dear friend Armelia crossed over yesterday,” Hannaway wrote. “She leaves us cherishing her memory as she was one of the greatest friends you could ever have. The only thing bigger than her beautiful soul was her extraordinary talent. She gave us such joy in her many turns on the Broadway stage as well as her film and TV roles. She was brilliant in Ain’t Misbehavin’ and so many other shows.”
A cause of death has not been released, and information on survivors was not immediately available.
Born in North Carolina and raised in New York City, McQueen was in the original Off Broadway cast...
- 10/5/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
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