Odia Coates (November 13, 1941 – May 19, 1991) was an African-American singer, best known for her high-profile hits with Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka.
The daughter of an evangelical minister, Odia Coates was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi. As a young child her family moved to Watts, California, where her father served as pastor in the Beautiful Gates Church Of God In Christ, where she sang in the church choir. She eventually became a member of the Northern California State Youth Choir, co-founded by Edwin Hawkins.
She turned secular in 1968, singing at a club in Sunnydale, California, while working during the day as a secretary at an aircraft company. Her first professional job was in Batman's Cave at the "Wayne Manor Club" working with a yet to be famous Sly and The Family Stone. She then joined a local band, Brotherly Love, before teaming up with Merry Clayton to form Sisters Love. She supplemented her income by doing session work during the late 1960's and early 1970's.
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One day she called old family friend Edwin Hawkins for some professional advice. "I had called Edwin to ask his advice about a local deal offered to me," Odia explained in a BillBoard interview, "and he said to forget about it, he'd talk to Paul (Anka) about me." Anka had produced Hawkins "Oh Happy Day" album in 1969. "Later I got a call and he had set up an audition for me in Las Vegas, where Paul lives. I did "Do You Wanna Dance" and Stevie Wonder's "If You Really Love Me." Paul was taken away by the songs but I didn't know that because he was very calm at the time. So I went on and continued my vacation and a week later gave Paul a call. And he said "Where have you been, I've been trying to reach you."
This began a lifelong friendship with Anka that lasted till her death. Odia signed with producer Rick Hall, who leased her recordings to Anka's label at the time, United Artists. She was in the studio with Anka when he was recording "(You're) Having My Baby" as a solo effort. U.A. executive Bob Skaff was also there and he suggested that Odia duet with Paul on the song. The duet hit #-1 the week of August 24, 1974 and held that spot for three weeks.
Both Anka and Odia had left the label by 1977. Anka had moved to RCA and Odia had moved to Epic. Paul returned the favor for Coates by writing and producing the 1977 12" classic "Make It Up To Me In Love." He also returned the favor by duetting with her on the track. The flip was an Odia solo track "You." The 12" featured a stunning Tom Moulton mix but failed to garner enough success to merit another release.
(Wikipedia states that she was working on a solo album in Las Vegas at L.A.W. Recording Studios in 1984-5, with producer Lee Waters. Tracks were supposedly cut at LAW and Paramount and Sunset studios in LA. This is yet to be confirmed.)
Odia went back to session work and her beloved church, quickly disappearing from the pop spotlight. Her beautiful voice was stilled on May 19, 1991, when she succumbed to breast cancer at the Kaiser Hospital in Oakland, California, following a four-year battle with the disease. She was 49 years old. An underrated singer that deserved far more recognition.
(Edited from a ryono.net article and Wikipedia)
Here's the only clip I can find of Odia on YouTube. It's mainly Paul Anka but at least she has a small part in the proceedings!