Sandra Stevens

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Sandra Stevens

Img_capt = Sandra Stevens
Background = solo_singer
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name =
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1949|11|23|df=yes
Leeds, Yorkshire
United Kingdom
Died =
Origin =
Instrument = Vocals
Genre = Pop music
Occupation = Singer
Years_active = 1973–present
Label = Pye Records
Influences =
URL =

Sandra Stevens (born 23 November 1949, Leeds, Yorkshire) is a British singer and member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.

Early career

Sandra Stevens first entered into a singing career at the age of sixteen when she joined the club band The Nocturnes. The group was formed by drummer Ross Mitchell and among the six members Stevens sang vocals alongside Eve Graham (later of The New Seekers). Based in Manchester, the band played local clubs, performing pop hits of the day such as "The Loco-Motion" and "Da Doo Ron Ron".In early 1967 Stevens decided to leave the group and was replaced by Lyn Paul (also later of The New Seekers). [ [http://www.lynpaulwebsite.org/Then-1966.htm Lyn Paul website - The Nocturnes information] ] Over the next few years she sang with the big bands of Joe Loss and Ken MacKintosh and also joined another group, Jason Flocks. [ [http://www.keithm.utvinternet.ie/SAYK.htm Keithm.ie - Mention of Joe Loss and Ken MacKintosh bands] ] Also at this time Stevens was working during the day as a typist.

Brotherhood of Man

In 1973, Stevens was performing as the resident singer at the Wakefield Theatre when she came to the attention of Tony Hiller who was looking to recruit a new singer for Brotherhood of Man - a group he was managing. [ [http://www.geocities.com/juniortvtimes2006/77No34/1977_no34_brotherhood1.htm "Look-In" 1977 No.34] ] The group were currently performing as a trio (Martin Lee, Lee Sheriden and Nicky Stevens (no relation)) and had released two singles. Stevens took the two singles and listened to them, immediately she was taken by the sound and was keen to join them. In late 1973 Brotherhood of Man became a four-piece with Sandra sharing lead vocals. [ [http://www.abrq49.hemscott.net/biography.htm Official Brotherhood of Man website - Biography] ]

It wasn't long before the group released their first single featuring the new line up. In January 1974 "When Love Catches Up on You" was released on Dawn Records and by the end of the year they had scored a European hit with "Lady" and had released an album. [ [http://www.radio538.nl/web/show/id=44685/chartid=6811/ Radio538.nl - Dutch Chart, 1974|Brotherhood of Man's first hit] ]

Over the next few years, Stevens enjoyed great success with Brotherhood of Man throughout the world. In 1975 they scored their first number one single and a year later they won the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Save Your Kisses for Me". [The Eurovision Song Contest - The Official History. O'Connor, John Kennedy. Carlton Books 2007 ISBN 978-1844429943] The song made No.1 in the UK as well as many other countries and this was followed by two more UK chart toppers, "Angelo" and "Figaro". [ [http://www.chartstats.com/chart.php?week=19770820 Chartstats.com - Official UK Charts | "Angelo" at No.1] ] [ [http://www.chartstats.com/chart.php?week=19780211 Chartstats.com - Official UK charts|"Figaro" at No.1] ] Although Hiller, Sheriden and Lee wrote the bulk of their material, Stevens is credited as a co-writer on one of their songs: "Let's Love Together", the B-Side to "Save Your Kisses for Me". In over 100 songs recorded, this is the only time that one of the female members of the group received a writing credit.

Stevens continued with Brotherhood of Man, recording lead vocals for many of their biggest hits and performing live with them through the decades. The group is still together and active today, still with the same line-up. They continue to appear in concert and on television. [ [http://www.abrq49.hemscott.net/tours.htm Official Brotherhood of Man website - Concert details] ]

Personal life

During the peak of the group's success, Stevens was in a relationship with fellow band member Martin Lee and moved in with him. Due to the young age of many of the group's fans, this was kept largely a secret. In August 1979 they married and are still together today. They have no children.

References