Yvonne Elliman

Her official website has announced that a new album, titled Simple Needs, will be released in early 2005. The Fortunes continue to attract rave reviews and new fans wherever they appear. A few minor hits followed in 1979, including the theme song from the film "Moment by Moment", and another disco track "Love Pains", but her career had reached its peak, and with marriage and motherhood Elliman was willing to retire from performing. The group remain as popular as ever, and are constantly in demand to do TV and radio shows, along with their live concerts. The huge success of the latter song has resulted in Elliman being remembered as a disco artist, though this style of music was an exception to the medium-tempo ballads that she specialized in, and which comprised the bulk of her recordings. As a testament to the Fortunes' continued popularity you need look no further than to the Gold Disc they were awarded in 1987 for over 100,000 sales of the All The Hits and More album. Her biggest success came in 1978 with her #1 hit from the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack, "If I Can't Have You" which was also written by the Bee Gees. Although the Fortunes' show concentrates on the hits of Yester-year, the combination of Rod and Bob’s alternating lead vocals together with the group's dynamic musical versatility allows them to stretch their repertoire over a wide range of material; thus giving them the luxury of performing many of the great songs from the beginnings of rock and roll to the present day.

Her recording career began to take off from this point and she scored several hit singles throughout the world, including cover versions of the Barbara Lewis hit "Hello Stranger" and the Bee Gees "Love Me". During the Fortunes set, apart from sharing vocal duties with Rod, Bob leads the band through a tribute to his former group, including a version of the Badfinger-penned classic "Without You", made famous by Nillson, and more recently Mariah Carey. This performance led to a 1974 Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. Bob was no stranger to fame as he was previously a member of Badfinger when they were on the Beatles' Apple Records label. She appeared in the Broadway and film versions of "Jesus Christ Superstar" as Mary Magdalene and achieved her first hit single with the ballad "I Don't Know How to Love Him". In March 1995 vocalist/keyboard/guitar player Bob Jackson was added to the Fortunes' ranks. She performed on many of his 70's hits including "I Shot the Sheriff". This ensures that the Fortunes' performances exude class and professionalism.

This led to a recording contract and a close association as a backing vocalist for Eric Clapton. Longstanding members Paul Hooper (drums) and Michael Smitham (guitar) ensure the group's unique blend of harmonies is backed up with a high standard of musical ability honed by many years of experience. Elliman's singing career began in the early 70's in London where she performed as a vocalist at various bars and clubs. His powerful, versatile voice is unmistakeable, and in the view of many fellow artists and fans alike, considered to be exceptional, if not the best on the circuit. Yvonne Marianne Elliman (born Honolulu, Hawaii, December 29, 1951) is an American singer. Founding member Rod Allen has been fronting the Fortunes as lead vocalist since 1963. During this period, the Fortunes were also the voices for the US Coca Cola adverts ("It's The Real Thing") still to be seen and heard in the US today.

From the initial success in 1964 of "Caroline", used as the signature tune for the influential Pirate Radio station Radio Caroline, the Fortunes had a steady succession of world-wide hits culminating in 1972 with the release of "Storm in a Teacup". The Fortunes remain as one of the UKs premier harmony groups, and are constantly in demand worldwide. These songs have stood the test of time, becoming household favourites permanently on playlists everywhere. The result was a succession of distinctive and distinguished hit records including "You've Got Your Troubles", "Here It Comes Again" and, continuing into the seventies with more successful releases such as "Storm in a Teacup" and "Freedom Come, Freedom Go".

Following on in the wake of Merseybeat, and the R&B of the Rolling Stones, etc., the Fortunes added another dimension to the sound of the classic pop song with their special ingredients of sophisticated orchestration, dual lead vocals and stylish counter-melodies. Hailing from Birmingham, England, the Fortunes first came to prominence and international acclaim during that Golden Era of Popular Music - the 'swinging' mid-sixties.