Sunny Leslie

• Active: '70s
• Genres: Rock
• Instrument: Vocals

Biography

Sunny Leslie is a top British singer, primarily known for her session work -- sometimes on her own but more often, especially during the '60s and early/middle '70s, in conjunction with her older sister Yvonne (aka Sue Glover) -- and for the U.K. hit "Doctor's Orders." Both were born in Madras, India, and began singing together on record in 1963 as the Myrtelles, with the Oriole single "Just Let Me Cry," a cover of a Lesley Gore song. It failed to chart, and their subsequent efforts as the Stockingtops and various other names also came to nothing, though everyone who heard the pair was impressed with their singing. They finally took on the name Sue & Sunny, with Heather Wheatman becoming Sunny (later Sunny Leslie), while Yvonne became Sue (later Sue Glover). Following a session with vocalist Lesley Duncan, Sue & Sunny became two of the busiest session vocalists in England, working with Tom Jones and Joe Cocker (whose version of "With a Little Help from My Friends" propelled them to some kind of stardom, especially when they appeared with him on television singing it), and by the early '70s they were working sessions with Elton John and every other world-class artist in England who needed serious, soulful female backing. But still, despite the obvious respect they received from their fellow musicians, and the demand for their work as backup singers, they could not chart a record under their own name. During the early '70s, even as the session work continued to keep them busy, the two sisters decided to start recording material separate from one another, and in 1974 Sunny Leslie finally had a hit record with "Doctor's Orders." In the decades since, Sunny Leslie and Sue Glover have continued to record as backup singers on other peoples' sessions, in addition to the occasional solo work by each. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide