Ginger Williams

b. 1956, Jamaica, West Indies. Williams accompanied her family in 1962 when they emigrated to the UK. After she completed her education she joined the north London group Green Mango. They played in and around the Tottenham area and although they were a popular act, she felt disenchanted with gigging and in 1972 left the group. A year later she met producer Ronnie Williams, who took her to the studio to record her debut, ‘I Can’t Resist Your Tenderness’, which, on its eventual release in 1974, was an instant hit. The song is an early example of the burgeoning style that was later categorized as lovers rock. The single surfaced on Count Shelly’s newly formed Paradise label. Following the birth of her third child, Williams returned to the reggae chart with ‘In My Heart There Is A Place’. She was nominated in the 1974 Black Music Poll as Best Newcomer and Female Artist. In 1975 she recorded with Dennis Harris (‘Tenderness’) and the following year with Bill Campbell (‘Oh Baby Come Back’). Williams continued recording with Campbell in 1977, releasing ‘I’ll Still Love You’, ‘I’m Just A Girl’, and a duet with the producer, ‘The Vow’. Williams was unable to repeat the success of her debut, although she has enjoyed isolated hits over the years. Notable releases included ‘Love Me Tonight’ and ‘Strange World’. In 1996 a compilation surfaced hailing Williams as ‘the first lady of lovers rock’, and included ‘As Long As You Love Me’ and ‘Tenderly’.