Yes, I said 1960s. Everybody knows Kiki Dee from her 1970s hits, but it seems like almost nobody remembers that she was also a contemporary of — and making records on a par with, IMLO — Lulu, Sandie, Dusty and Cilla:

I didn't know she was around in the 60's, mostly because she never hit the British charts during that time, sorta like The Action. She's definitely got worthy enough chops, and actually sang backup for Dusty.

Just discovered RPM/Retro Records UK is reissuing her 60's recordings on Jan 24, 2011, "I'm Kiki Dee: The Fontana Years 1963 - 1968", 32 cuts worth. Includes "Small Town" from the above video clip (I'm guessing that is from Dateline Diamonds also featuring The Small Faces):


I’m Kiki Dee : The Fontana Years 1963-1968
retro886
Released on 24/01/11. Happily Kiki Dee received her reward during the 70’s Rocket period and that no.1 with Elton John. She had certainly paid her dues during the previous decade with some sonorous session BVs for many in Uk Pop, plus a string of superlative singles for Fontana. Much sought after for their consistent high standard of performance. Kiki is recognised as one of the few Uk singers, alongside her friend and colleague Dusty Springfield, with the capacity to interpret soulfully. She wrings everything out of the songs she was given.

Our album includes all the recordings released in the UK, and is compiled in chronological order of musical collaborator from Harry Robinson, Les Reed, Arthur Greenslade, Mike Vickers. It assists our appreciation of how versatile Kiki was / is, and her development as a performer.

In addition we have a bonus in three live radio session recordings which in turn include two songsKiki didn t release on record. The package includes photos from Kiki’s archive, plus a new interview with Kiki, and a forward from Les Reed.

This is the first time since the 1970’s that any of these recordings have been properly reissued, and all are first time on CD.

Early Night (1963, A) / Lucky High Heels (1963, B) / Don’t Put Your Heart In Hishand (1963, A) / I Was Only Kidding (1963, B) / Miracles (1964, A) / That’s Right, Walk On By (1964, B) / (You Don T Know) How Glad I Am (1964, A/Ep) / Baby I Don T Care (1964,B/Ep) / Runnin Out Of Fools (1965, A/Ep) / There He Goes (1965, B/Ep) / Why Don T I Run Away From You (1966, A/Lp) / Small Town (1966, B,Ost) / I Dig You Baby (1966, Ep/Lp) / With A Kiss (1966, Ep/Lp) / Stop And Think (1967, B/Lp) / Doctor In Clover (1966, Ep) / Take A Look At Me (1966, Ep) / I’m Going Out (The Sameway I Came In) (1967, A/Lp) / We’ve Got Everythinggoing For Us(1967, B/Lp) / I (1967, A/Lp) / Excuse Me (1967, A/Lp) / Patterns (1967, B/Lp) / Sunshine (1967, Lp) / When We Get There (1967, Lp) / Don’t Destroy Me (1967, Lp) / Really Saying Something (1967, Radio Session) / If I Loved You (1967, Radio Session) / Excuse Me (1967, Radio Session) / Can’t Take My Eyesoff You (1968, A) / Hungry Heart (1968, B) / Now The Flowers Cry (1968, A) / On A Magic Carpet Ride (1968, B)


In noting the passing of Tina Marie, Kiki was signed to Motown via the Tamla label in the late 60's/early 70's.

At the time, I thought she was an Elton John discovery.

And I assumed that the "Don't Go Breaking my Heart" parody on One Day at a Time drove her into early retirement.

I was vaguely aware that she'd had a career pre-Elton John but this may be the first thing I've actually heard from it. Nice stuff!

So I guess this release will be superior to the previous I'm Kiki Dee disc on the Margin label?

It uses the original album cover art but the print quality makes the whole package look a bit dodgy....maybe it's a boot.

Will probably buy the RPM disc too for sound comparisons and hopefully they include some liner notes.

How are the remasters of her 70's material that came out a couple of years ago?

According to the reviews on Amazon, the CD "Kiki Dee The Sixties Collection" on the Marginal label is a boot from Belgium, taken from vinyl, and it uses the cover of the "I'm Kiki Dee" UK LP. The 30 cuts are about half 60's Fontana songs and half late 60's/early 70's Motown stuff.

RPM is claiming this is the first time (legit) on CD for the 32 Fontana cuts.