Lesley Duncan 1943-2010 R.I.P.

Amazing vocalist graced classic albums by Pink Floyd, Elton John, Ringo Starr and others.

By Fred Mills

One of the most memorable, though relatively brief, vocals in rock history has to be British singer Lesley Duncan's contribution to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon; it's an indelible performance that sticks in the mind long after the album has spun. Word has arrived now via the NME that Duncan passed away on Friday, March 12, following a battle with cerebrovascular disease. She was 66.

The Dark Side appearance was hardly Duncan's only memorable performance, however, as she sang background vocals on scores of albums in the ‘60s and ‘70s, including Jesus Christ Superstar, Donovan's Cosmic Wheels, Ringo Starr's Goodnight Vienna, Long John Baldry's Welcome to the Club, , the Alan Parsons Project's Eve and numerous records by Elton John. Duncan also released several solo albums - her official website lists her many projects over the years, additionally providing a link to a tribute page where fans can leave their remembrances and condolences.

According to a message posted at the site on March 12 by Duncan's husband Tony Cox,

"This afternoon I drove to the hospital at about 2pm and on the way I got a call that Lesley's condition had deteriorated alarmingly. When I arrived at her bedside, the nurse had put on the Sing Children Sing album playing softly in the background. I held Lesley's hand and after about ten minutes ‘Love Song' started to play. During the song I felt one or two tremors pass through Lesley's body and, as her lovely song ended, she passed away. It was as peaceful, I think, as death can be and a relief after her years of struggle."

"Love Song," of course, is the Duncan-penned tune that Duncan and Elton John dueted on for his 1970 album Tumbleweed Connection; she cut the song herself on her 1971 album Sing Children Sing.

Duncan will be greatly missed. As one fan put it so eloquently on the tribute page, "Lesley was part of what I consider the world's greatest vocal backing choir of their time, in company with her friends Madeline Bell and the late, lovely Kay Garner. Their combined contribution to global music culture is inestimable, and singers like these warranted huge success which seemed to come so easily to far lesser talents. But as I can see from tributes, others recognized REAL talent."

Amen.