Luckiest Music Generation: Laura Nyro - Wedding Bell Blues

[Genki Hikari]

Between 1966 and 1971, Laura Nyro dazzled the music world with an array of brilliantly crafted pop songs. Artists as varied as Barbra Streisand, Three Dog Night, Blood Sweat and Tears, Peter, Paul and Mary, and The 5th Dimension recorded covers of her compositions.

Then in 1971, at all of 24 years old, she walked away from it all, rather than let the music industry turn her into a "celebrity." She would return later, after her marriage fell apart, but she wasn't quite able to recapture that magical first five years again, although she certainly never starved.

Laura Nyro died in 1997 of ovarian cancer. If she had lived, she would have been 75 today.

The 5th Dimension is more famous for their version of "Wedding Bell Blues," but I've always preferred the original version from Ms. Nyro's first album, More Than a New Discovery for its warmth and intimacy.

RIP Laura. You are missed.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

1. She was so amazing! I've been a fan since I first saw her sing Wedding Bell Blues on

Where the Action Is, which I never missed every day after school. Still listening to her music 55+ years later!