Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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RAVAN, Genya

(b Goldie Zelkowitz, '40s in Poland) Singer, harmonica, producer. Family escaped Hitler to USA; she began singing in Brooklyn. Sang in Richard Perry group; formed Goldie and the Gingerbreads, all-girl group with more success in UK than USA; highly regarded by UK musicians, they scored no. 25 UK '65 with 'Can't You Hear My Heart Beat', also remembered for 'That's The Way I Love You'. Regulars on package tours with Rolling Stones etc, folded '69. Remainder of group formed nucleus of all-girl Isis, with Carol MacDonald, guitar, vocals; Ginger Bianco, drums; Stella Bass, bass; Liberty Mata, percussion; Jeannie Feinberg and Lauren Draper, horns; Lollie Bienenfeld and Suzi Ghezzi, guitars; later Jean Millington of Fanny: LPs Isis '74, Ain't No Backin' Up Now '75. Goldie/Genya went on to front Ten Wheel Drive, otherwise all-male ten-piece jazz/rock ensemble, recording Construction No. 1 '69, Brief Replies '70, Peculiar Friends '71 for Polydor before leaving. Flitted between egos during '70s, recording five LPs for four labels: Genya Ravan With Baby '72, They Love Me/They Love Me Not '73, Goldie Zelkowitz '74, Urban Desire '78, And I Mean It '79. Meanwhile became one of the first female producers; also sessioned, proving raunchy vocals had lost none of their bite, notably on Lou Reed's Street Hassle '78, Blue Oyster Cult's Mirrors '79, with a classic vocal on 'Dr Music' with Ellen Foley. Prod. credits incl. Dead Boy's Young And Loud And Snotty '77, Ronnie Spector's Siren '80. Had own Polish label, based in NYC.