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Louisa Jane White is an English singer and composer who started performing while still in school during the 1960s. She later had success in the 1970s and competed in overseas music competitions as well as Eurovision selection. She recorded for the Philips, MCA and the President subsidiary Dansan Records Label.

Background

Originally from Tipton, she studied music at school but didn't like the subject. She started singing at the age of six in senior's clubs. Later at the age of thirteen, while still a pupil at Wellington High School for Girls, she got her chance in a weekly 45 minute slot to sing with Terry Heath's resident group, The Van-Dels. Known as then as Lesley Whitehouse, she was among the Van-Dels line up which consisted of Pat Horton on rhythm guitar, Bruce Holcroft on drums, Clive Roberts on bass, and lead guitarist / singer Les Darrell.

During the late 1960s, she was backed by a band called Savage Rose. In the early 70s, one of the songs she covered was Jim Webb's composition, "Jerusalem".

At some stage she was in a girl group with Linda Rothwell and Polly Brown They were managed by Morris King who managed The Walker Brothers. Interestingly, both Brown and White would record Van McCoy songs. Brown recorded "One Girl Too Late" in 1975, and White with "Don't Pity Me" in 1977. Both songs were produced by produced by Gerry Shury and Ron Roker.

As a composer, she had composed songs for Donald Peers, and Patrick Mower and a couple of soundtracks. One of them was for Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World.

Career

1960s

In 1968, she had come into contact with pianist, arranger, publisher and producer Tommy Sanderson who signed her up. He didn't get around to recording her until January, 1969. They were looking for the right material. Also, Sanderson and co. wanted Arthur Greenslade to handle the arrangements. Greenslade was in Hollywood working on a movie. He eventually came back on a Monday, took care of the rehearsals on a Wednesday and recorded her with an ensemble of about 21. It was done in two takes. The result was her debut disc of "Caledonia Mission" which was released on Philips.

Also in 1969, Al Grossman was in London, and he heard Louisa Jane White who was 16 at the time. He was impressed with what he heard, so he signed her up. From that, Horace Ott had come over from the United States on May 23, and was set to record her for the American Market. Also that year, a single she recorded, "When the Battle is Over" bw "Blue Ribbons" was released on Philips 1810. It was produced by Des Champ. Peter Jones of Record Mirror gave it a good review, noting the bluesy rhythmic aspect of it and the power of her performance.

1970s

In 1970, she released "How Does It Feel" bw "Truth in My Tears" on Philips BF 1834. In February, 1971, her single "Jerusalem" had been released. The gospel leanings and her vocal ability were noted in the good review that Record Mirror gave.

In 1972 she was in Poland, representing the UK at the Sopot Song Festival which ran from August 23 to 26. She was a festival winner, coming second with "That's Beautiful", a Les Reed composition. Also on the second day where the judges were marking the performances instead of the songs, she was in the first three. Later she toured Poland, Germany, and Hungary.

In 1973, her album Louisa Jane White was released on MCA MUPS 483. Also that year in July, she had been part of the Holiday Startime Summer Season show that also included Mike Yarwood, Basil Brush, Johnny Hart, Robert Young and the Jo Cook Dancers. Also that year, the film, Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World was released. It was about a lovable English sheep dog, who as a result of sinister experiments at a NATO facility grows into a giant. He escapes and goes on an interesting and sometimes hair-raising adventure. In addition to composing the film's theme song, White also sang it.

Music trade magazine, Music Week announced in its December 6, 1975, issue that twelve Eurovision selection contestants had made the list to perform 12 songs which would be then judged to see who would then perform in the main event, held in Holland. They included Frank Ifield, Tony Christie, Joey Valentine, Polly Brown, Tammy Jones, Louisa Jane White, and Hazell Dean etc.. On Wednesday 25th February 1976, White competed at the A Song for Europe show which was presented by Michael Aspel and held at the Royal Albert Hall. Her entry was "Take The Money And Run", a Roger Saunders & Scott English composition. With 100 points she came 5th. The winning song was "Save Your Kisses For Me" by Brotherhood of Man. "Take the Money and Run" bw "I'm On Your Side" was issued on PYE Pye 45568 in the UK and in Australia on Astor AP-1894 in 1976. Years later in 2002, it would appear on the Puppets on a String: The Songs of Eurovision compilation.

In 1977, her single, "Don't Stop" by Ron Roker and Gerry Shury was released. It was backed with a Van McCoy composition, Don't Pity Me". Two years later, Faith Hope and Charity would have a hit with their version of "Don't Pity Me".

1980s

In 1981, the album, Friends and Neighbours she recorded with Russell Scott and the Brian Dee Quartet was released on Dansan DS 048.

Personal life

Louisa married Phil Sanderson who was the son of her manager Tommy Sanderson.

Later years

"Truth In My Tears" would end up on a mod compilation, Le Beat Bespoke 2 that was released on Circle CPWC107 in 2006.

Television & film

Television

Film

Radio

Discography

Appears on

Further reading

References

1. ^ Record Mirror, Week ending May 3, 1969 - Page 9 The stages of becoming a .. POP SINGER - PETER JONES
2. Shropshire Star, Sept 30, 2019 - Singing schoolgirl knocked on door of stardom by Toby Neal
3. Shropshire Star, July 21, 2022 - Van-Dels who smashed it every Saturday night by Toby Neal
4. Wolverhampton History & Heritage Website - From California And Montana With Lots 'N Between. Continued, 'N Between Times, Savage Rose
5. The Mott Archive, a mott the hoople website - Ian Hunter cover versions:, - SEASON'S SONG, LOUISA JANE WHITE (1973)
6. Record Mirror, April 17, 1971 - Page 8 Fancy five minutes with Miss White? BY VALERIE MABBS
7. ^ It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine, July 14, 2014 - Goliath interview
8. ^ MusicBrainz - Special Delivery ~ Release by Polly Brown
9. MusicBrainz - Special Delivery ~ Release group by Polly Brown
10. ^ DYNAERO - Louisa Jane White - Don't Stop / Don't Pity Me Album
11. ^ The Stage, Thursday 16 August 1979 - SUMMER 79 STAGE: Multi-Talented Miss White
12. Record World, June 14, 1969 - Page 46 record world Eyeview Europe, London Lowdown by By JEAN GRIFFITHS
13. Cash Box, June 7, 1969 - Page 50 CashBox Great Britain
14. ^ Record Mirror, Week ending September 13, 1969 - Page 9 New Singles by PETER JONES
15. cctc2013.ca - Louisa Jane White - When The Battle Is Over Album
16. Beat Instrumental, October, 1969 - Page 61 THE A&R MEN, DES CHAMP
17. Popsike - LOUISA JANE WHITE-Truth In My Tears VINYL 7" SOUL/MOD DANCER LISTEN
18. Record Mirror, February 6, 1971 - Page 17 Mirrorpick
19. Billboard, September 30, 1972 - Page 10 Talent, New Prize Stirs Problems For Sopot Song Entrants
20. Shropshire Star, Sept 30, 2019 - Singing schoolgirl knocked on door of stardom by Toby Neal
21. ^ SecondHandSongs - MUPS xxx (United Kingdom)
22. Blackpool Postcards, 20 September, 2011 - ABC Summer Season Programmes
23. Blackpool Council - THE CYRIL CRITCHLOW COLLECTION, CYRIL CRITCHLOW COLLECTION ABC POSTERS: DRAWER 7 (Right)
24. American International Pictures: A Comprehensive Filmography, By Rob Craig · 2019 - ISBN 978-1-4766-6631-0 - Page 126 Digby, Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World
25. Music Week, December 6, 1975 - Page 1 Eurovision Short List Selected
26. Songs for Europe - A Song for Europe 1976
27. Global Dog Productions - 45 Discography for Astor Records - OZ - 1000 series
28. AUSTRALIAN RECORD LABELS - Page 24 ASTOR RECORDS, 1959-1982, AP-1894
29. MusicBrainz - Puppets on a String: The Songs of Eurovision
30. MusicBrainz - Louisa Jane White Discography, Album + Compilation
31. Hitparade.ch - Louisa Jane White – Don't Stop
32. Billboard, August 5, 1978 - Page 56 Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Billboard Special Survey For Week Ending 8/5/78
33. Billboard, August 12, 1978 - Page 60 Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY For Week Ending 8/12/78
34. ^ President Records - Album Catalogue, (Dropdown box) President Album Catalogue Vocal & Easy
35. ^ 99.1.com - Various-Mod & 2-Tone, Le Beat Bespoke 2
36. ^ Tony Beesley Mod World - Mojo Talkin' The Soundtrack
37. ^ TV Pop Diaries - 1972
38. Nostalgic Music TV - LIFT OFF With AYSHEA, LIFT OFF With Ayshea (Series 5)
39. Traktv - The Good Old Days: Specials, Special 14 Christmas Special 1972
40. Nostalgic Music TV - LIFT OFF With AYSHEA, LIFT OFF With Ayshea (Series 6)
41. Eurovision World - A Song for Europe 1976: Louise Jane White - "Take the Money and Run"
42. Eurovision World - United Kingdom: A Song for Europe 1976, RESULT
43. British Film Institute - The Arrows
44. John Willis'screen world by John Wilis - Page 204 DIGBY, THE BIGGEST DOG IN THE WORLD
45. BBC - *15:02 * The Terry Wogan Show
46. The Wurzel Archives - Professor Wurzel's WURZELMANIA! Adge Cutler & The Wurzels - 'Live' At The Beeb 1967 - 1974
47. Gripsweat - Louisa Jane White - Caledonia Mission / Our Day Will Come - Philips BF 1766
48. Rare record price guide 2006, 2004 - ISBN 0953260143 - Page 1362 LOUISA JANE WHITE
49. hitparade.ch - Louisa Jane White – Jerusalem
50. Gripsweat - Louisa Jane White - Children / Speak The Truth ORIG UK MCA DEMO 45!! Psych Folk
51. Gripsweat - LOUISA JANE WHITE -IF YOU ONLY rare UK 1972 DEMO PROMO / SOUL / DANCER / MINT- !
52. ^ 45Cat - Louisa Jane White - Discography, UK
53. Rate Your Music - What'll I Do / Who?, Artist Louisa
54. Amazon - Take the Money and Run
55. Who Sampled - Don't Pity Me by Louisa Jane White
56. Gripsweat - Louisa Jane White: Don't Stop PROMO 7" EX SHOP
57. КАТАЛОГ СОВЕТСКИХ ПЛАСТИНОК - Сопот-72
58. Gripsweat - SOPOT-1972 Poland England France USSR Songs Louisa Jane White Soviet LP Record
59. the lyn paul website - Lyn Paul on Disc, Puppet on a String, Various Artists

External links

• 45Cat - Louisa Jane White - Discography, UK
• Discogs - Louisa Jane White
• Rate Your Music - Louisa Jane White
• Imdb - Louisa Jane White

Audio

• KentSoul1 channel - Louisa Jane White - Don't Pity Me
• Mike Atkinson channel - Louisa Jane White – It's An Ill Wind (1972
• aloneinaforest1 channel - Louisa Jane White Truth In My Tears

• 1950s births
• Decca Records artists
• MCA Records artists
• Philips Records artists
• President Records artists
• Pye Records artists
• English women pop singers
• English composers
• People from Tipton