A music legend who is described as 'The Queen of Northern Soul' returned to East Lancashire last weekend for a fundraiser concert celebrating 60 years of her hit song, "Tainted Love".
Gloria Jones sang the original version of "Tainted Love", and has written songs for Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie and Gladys Knight.
She visited Alta in Whalley on Saturday, March 9, to tell stories about her time in the music industry as a solo artist, songwriter, producer and backing singer.
Earlier this year, she visited Darwen Library Theatre to listen to Darwen School of Music pupils after catching up with vocal coach, friend and co-owner of the school, Paul Stuart Davies.
The night raised more than £3,000 and will go to Gloria's charity projects, first and foremost, The Marc Bolan School of Music in Sierra Leone, named after her former partner who was in the band T Rex.
Paul, who was also organiser of the night, said: "The event was a huge success with a full house.
"The evening featured performances from Tyrannosarus Jed, Tony Mann, Johnny Boy Pryers and myself.
"We even had guests fly in from New York, Germany, Los Angeles and London, and Alta went above and beyond.
"Gloria spoke about her years in the industry and how Dusty Springfield played a big part in bringing Motown acts over to perform on her TV show, with a question and answer section followed by an awards presentation.
"The atmosphere was incredible and Gloria met fans and signed autographs as DJ's Russ Winstanley and Alan King led the afterparty."
Gloria has written songs for the stars, toured with Bob Marley, performed backing vocals for Tina Turner, Joe Cocker and with T Rex and Marc Bolan, who she has a son with, called Rolan.
Paul has worked with Gloria on the soul scene since they both worked at a Northern Soul festival, where Gloria was the headliner in 2019.
They met at rehearsals and bonded over each running a music school.
Alta, the Ribble Valley's new live music and events venue, was also praised for its "help, patience and beautiful venue".
Gloria is the founder of Paul's sister school, the Marc Bolan School of Music in Sierra Leone, where Paul visited and sang for local children.
The Marc Bolan School of Music is in the city of Makeni and run by Gloria, former girlfriend of the glam rock star who died in 1977.
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