May 7th in African American History – Thelma Jackson Houston

May 7, 1946 Thelma Jackson Houston, singer, actress, and songwriter, was born in Leland, Mississippi.

In 1969 Houston released her debut album, “Sunshower,” and in 1971 she signed with Motown Records. Houston’s first successful single was “You’ve Been Doing Wrong for So Long” (1974) which earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. In 1976, she released her third album, “Any Way You Like It,” which contained “Don’t Leave Me This Way” which won the 1978 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

Other albums by Houston include “Ready to Roll” (1978), “Never Gonna Be Another One” (1981), and “A Woman’s Touch” (2007). Houston’s first acting role was in the 1975 made for television movie “Death Scream.” She also guest starred on several television programs including “Cagney & Lacey” and “Simon & Simon.”