January 16: Barbara Lynn - "You'll Lose A Good Thing" - Is 72-years-old today.

Barbara Lynn Ozen from Beaumont, Texas - later Barbara Lynn Cumby -  is a rhythm and blues guitarist and singer. The Empress of Gulf Coast Soul played piano as a child, but switched to guitar, playing it left-handed. Inspired by blues artists Guitar Slim and Jimmy Reed, and pop acts Elvis Presley and Brenda Lee, she created an all-female band, Bobbie Lynn and Her Idols.

Singer Joe Barry ("I'm a Fool to Care" introduced Lynn to producer Huey P Meaux who ran SugarHill Recording Studios and several labels in Houston. Her first single "You'll Lose A Good Thing" was a #1 R&B hit and Top 10 pop hit in 1962 and was later a country hit for Freddy Fender.

Soon Lynn was touring with such soul music greats as Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, James Brown, Al Green, Carla Thomas, Marvin Gaye, Ike and Tina Turner, The Temptations, and B.B. King.

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She appeared at the Apollo Theater, twice on American Bandstand, and even had her song "Oh Baby (We've Got A Good Thing Goin')" recorded by The Rolling Stones.

While living in Los Angeles Lynn occasionally appeared at local clubs before returning to Beaumont, Texas (where her mother lived) to live and resume her recording career after her husband's death.

Barbara continues to reside in Beaumont. Lynn was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1999. In 2000, she released an album, Hot Night Tonight on Antone's Records.



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