Maxine Daniels (2 November 1930 – 20 October 2003) was an English jazz singer who worked with Humphrey Lyttelton.
Daniels was born Gladys Lynch in Stepney, London, an elder sister of singer and entertainer, Kenny Lynch.[1][2] She was one of thirteen children.
Her first recognition as a singer came from winning a local talent contest, at the age of 14, in a Stepney cinema.[3] Local recognition lead to a first singing job with a semi-professional band led by a Canning Town grocer[4] until another talent competition organised by the Daily Sketch[5] and sponsored by bandleader Ted Heath.[4] A long residency (1954–56)[5] with bandleader Denny Boyce followed at The Orchid Room in Purley.[2] At Boyce's suggestion she changed her stage name and through their regular Radio Luxembourg broadcasts she gained a wider audience and the opportunity to record for the Oriole label.[5]
She married Charlie Daniels in 1950, and had one daughter Hazel Annette together. Charlie Daniels died in 1988.[1] In the late 1950s she shared a mutual attraction with actor Sean Connery whom she met while performing at the Empire Theatre. Connery purportedly made a pass at her but was informed she was already happily married with a daughter.[6] Maxine Daniels died in Romford in 2003, aged 72. She is survived by daughter and two grandsons.[1]
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