Born: Kitchener, Ontario as Phyllis Boltz
Charity Brown grew up in Kitchener, Ontario and her teenage years, during the '60's, saw her singing in several bands including Landslide Mushroom. She finally connected with Rain and stayed with them for 5 years, one album and a fistful of singles, including the Canadian Top-10 hit 'Out Of My Mind'.
After leaving Rain she hooked up with producer Harry Hinde in 1973 who landed her an audition with A & M Records - eventually getting signed to the label. Her first releases were several singles under the name Phyllis Brown which became Charity shortly thereafter.
A & M groomed Brown as a Motown stylist and she charted with remakes of "Jimmy Mack" and "You Beat Me To The Punch". Her next single, "Take Me In Your Arms", was cut off at the knees when The Doobie Brothers released a version at the same time and Helen Reddy managed to release a song called "Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady" which became a hit at the same time as a similarly titled song by Brown was about to hit the racks.
Despite the lousy timing, 1976 saw Brown's "Anyway You Want", written by Chicago's Peter Cetera, hit paydirt. A 'Best Of' was released in 1977 and Brown toured extensively on the nightclub circuit for the next three years.
Brown's failure to break out of the club scene caused friction between her and management and she finally retired in 1980. She adopted her birth name as her and husband Ted Purdy (Mainline) set up a recording studio in the late '80's after Brown tried unsuccessful jobs as a florist, a grocery store clerk and a costume designer.
Singles
1974 Jimmy Mack (A & M)
1974 You Beat Me To The Punch (A & M)
1975 Take Me In Your Arms (A & M)
1975 Our Day Will Come (A & M)
1975 Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady (A & M)
1976 Saving All My Love (A & M)
1976 Anyway You Want Me (A & M)
1976 Stay With Me (A & M)
1977 No Hurt (A & M)
1977 Forecast (A & M)
1977 Hold On Baby (A & M)
as PHYLLIS BROWN
1973 Elijah Stone (A & M)
with RAIN
1972 Out Of My Mind (Axe/London)
1972 Stop Me From Believing (Axe/London)
Albums
1975 Charity Brown (A & M)
1976 Rock Me (A & M)
1977 Stay With Me (A & M)
1977 The Best Of Charity Brown (A & M)
with RAIN
1972 Rain (Axe/London)
Video
Compilation Tracks
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