Lulu (1948–)

Scottish pop singer and actress. Born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, Nov 3, 1948, in Lennox Castle, Lennoxtown, Glasgow, Scotland; m. Maurice Gibb (singer with Bee Gees), 1969 (div. 1974); m. John Frieda (hairdresser), 1974 (div. 1992); children: (2nd m.) Jordan.

Began singing publicly at young age; at 14, joined group Glen Eagles; changed name to Lulu, group's name to The Luvvers, and recorded 1st single (1964), a remake of Isley Brothers' "Shout" which became 1st of many smash hits in next 2 years, including "Here Comes The Night", "Leave A little Love" and "Try To Understand"; made film debut in Gonks Go Beat (1964); left The Luvvers (1966), touring as solo artist; made stage acting debut in Babes in the Wood (1966), then appeared in the film To Sir with Love and performed its hit title song (1967); on tv, starred in series "Three of a Kind," "Lulu's Back in Town" "Happening to Lulu," "It's Lulu" "Lulu's Party" and had recurring role on "Absolutely Fabulous"; returned to top of European charts with "Boom Bang-A-Bang"; hit top of charts with David Bowie collaboration"The Man Who Sold the World" (1974); performed frequently in London's West End in such shows as Song and Dance (1983) and Guys and Dolls (1985); had #1 hit with "Relight My Fire" from album Independence and co-wrote Tina Turner's "I Don't Want to Fight"(1994); released album of own songs, Where the Poor Boys Dance (2000); collaborated with Elton John, Paul McCartney and Sting among others on recent album Together (2002). Received Order of the British Empire (OBE, 2000).

See also memoir, I Don't Want to Fight (2003).