Claudia Fontaine (26 August 1960 – 13 March 2018) was a backing vocalist from Peckham, London.

Career

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During the 1980s, Fontaine and fellow backing vocalist Caron Wheeler (and later, third member Naomi Thompson) were known as Afrodiziak.[1] She made an appearance in the video "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)" with Soul II Soul.

She joined a number of lovers rock trios, including Mellow Rose, One Love, and True Harmony, then emerged as a soloist. In 1981, she sang a hit single, "Natural High".

She also performed with such artists as The Jam,Natasha Bedingfield, Sam Brown, B.B King, Alfie Boe, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Eric Clapton, Eurythmics Jools Holland, Heaven 17, Geri Halliwell, Tom Jones, Chaka Khan Janet Kay,Kylie Minogue, Paul Weller, Elvis Costello and The Attractions, Marilyn, Madness, Neneh Cherry, The Specials, Heaven 17, Hothouse Flowers and Howard Jones.[1] Fontaine sang background vocals on the hit single "Free Nelson Mandela" by The Special AKA.[2] Fontaine was the lead vocalist on The Beatmasters' 1989 hit single, "Warm Love",[3][1] which is included on their debut album Anywayawanna.

She also sang lead vocals on the song "Deeper into Harmony" on The Beatmasters' album of 1992 Life & Soul.[1] She performed backing vocals on Pink Floyd's The Division Bell Tour and the subsequent DVD and CD Pulse.[4] She also toured with Robbie Williams, Toploader, Pink Floyd, Chaka Khan, Eurythmics, U.2 & Hothouse flowers. She sang at many festivals including Reading, Glastonbury, Live Aid, Comic Relief & SunflowerJam. Her voice can also be heard on the charity single, "Help For Heroes". She sang by royal appointment for the Royal Family at the Party at the Palace concert in 2002, in Buckingham Palace, London.

Death

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Claudia Fontaine died on 13 March 2018, aged 57.[1]

Filmography

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Discography

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "UK singer Claudia Fontaine has died". Voice-online.co.uk. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  2. ^ Hann, Michael (14 March 2018). "Goodbye Claudia Fontaine, the unknown famous face of 80s pop". The Guardian.
  3. ^ Credit: The Beatmasters featuring Claudia Fontaine
  4. ^ Mabbett, Andy (2010). Pink Floyd - The Music and the Mystery. London: Omnibus. ISBN 978-1-84938-370-7.
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