Page "Brenda Holloway" Paragraph 2

In 1962, she made her recording debut with the single, " Hey Fool ", released on the small Donna record label.

That same year, at the age of 16, she recorded the first version of Ed Cobb's ballad, " Every Little Bit Hurts ", released as a single by Del-Fi Records.

She also recorded duets with Hal Davis for the Minasa and Snap labels, and worked with other local recording artists.

After graduating from Jordan High School, she also studied music at Compton Communirty College.

In late 1963, she was invited by Davis to a deejay's party which Motown CEO Berry Gordy Jr. was attending, and lip-synced to Mary Wells ' hit " You Beat Me to the Punch ".

Gordy was impressed by Holloway's looks, and subsequently by her vocal power, and opted to sign her to Motown.

Holloway was aged 17 at the time, and was Motown's first West Coast signing.