Inez Foxx: The Soulful Voice of 1960s R&B

Inez Foxx is an American soul and R&B singer best known for her spirited 1963 hit "Mockingbird," a duet with her brother Charlie. Hailing from Greensboro, North Carolina, her career, often intertwined with her brother's, left a lasting mark on the classic soul and pop charts of the 1960s.

Early career

Born Inezita Booth in 1942, she began performing in her teens before moving to New York to pursue music. She initially recorded as Inez Johnston for small labels, but her career trajectory changed decisively when she began collaborating with her older brother, Charlie Foxx.

Breakthrough

The duo's breakthrough came in 1963 with the release of "Mockingbird" on the Symbol Records label. The song, a raucous and playful adaptation of a traditional lullaby, became a massive crossover success, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the R&B chart, cementing their place in music history.

Key tracks

Mockingbird — The defining hit of her career, this duet with brother Charlie Foxx became an enduring anthem of the era.

Hi Diddle Diddle — A successful 1963 follow-up single that also charted on the Billboard Hot 100.

(1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count the Days — A later solo single for Volt Records in 1967 that showcased her powerful vocal style.

Hurt by Love — A poignant 1965 single on Sue Records that highlighted the depth of her soulful delivery.

Following the success of "Mockingbird," Inez and Charlie Foxx continued to record together for Symbol and other labels like Sue Records, releasing the album "Mockingbird" in 1963. Inez also pursued a solo path later in the decade, recording for the storied Stax Records subsidiary Volt, which resulted in the 1967 single "Count the Days." Her musical partnership with Charlie eventually wound down, though their signature song has enjoyed remarkable longevity, covered by numerous artists including Aretha Franklin and James Taylor and Carly Simon.

Artists with a similar foundational R&B and soul sound from the same era include Aretha Franklin for her commanding gospel-infused soul power. Etta James shares a similarly raw and emotive vocal intensity. Maxine Brown exemplifies the same period of classic 1960s girl-group and soul balladry. The Shirelles represent the close-harmony pop-soul that paved the way for hits like "Mockingbird."

The music of Inez Foxx remains a staple on classic soul and oldies radio stations, frequently featured in rotations that celebrate the golden age of 1960s R&B. Her recordings, particularly the iconic "Mockingbird," are essential listening on dedicated soul music programs and online radio streams that specialize in vintage American music.

You can hear the classic soul and R&B sounds of Inez Foxx on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover her influential catalog through the classic soul and vintage pop stations available on onairium.com.