Pat Lewis dead: Motown star & iconic background singer for Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin dies at 76

While she may not have been a household name, Lewis made a significant impact on the music industry, both as a solo artist and as a highly regarded background singer for some of the most iconic tracks of the 20th century.

Born in Pennsylvania, Lewis and her family relocated to Detroit in the early 1950s, where she would begin her rise in the music world. In the early 1960s, she co-founded the vocal quartet The Adorables and recorded briefly with Golden World Records. In 1966, she released her solo hit ‘Can’t Shake It Loose’, which garnered modest success.

Though her solo career continued, it was as a background vocalist that Lewis truly became a legend. She began working with Motown Records in the late 1960s, lending her voice to support legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder. Her work at Motown opened up further opportunities, and by the 1970s, she became a key member of Isaac Hayes' backing ensemble.

Lewis's vocal prowess also caught the attention of Aretha Franklin, and she provided backing vocals on two of Franklin's most acclaimed albums: Amazing Grace and Young, Gifted and Black.

In the late 1980s, Lewis joined UK producer Ian Levine's Motorcity Records label, where she collaborated with other former Motown artists to revive classic soul music with new recordings. Throughout the 1990s, she continued to work with Levine, recording numerous singles and keeping the spirit of Detroit soul alive.

In the later stages of her career, Lewis occasionally performed and recorded, often participating in multi-act classic soul tribute shows that celebrated the legacy of Motown and the golden era of Detroit music.