Kiki Dee

born Pauline Matthews on 6 March 1947, in Little H

Kiki Dee (born Pauline Matthews on 6 March 1947, in Little Horton, Bradford, West Yorkshire, England) is a highly successful singer/songwriter, with a career that has lasted over 40 years. Her most famous song was a duet with Elton John, entitled "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", which was released in 1976 and went to Number 1. (She later performed another duet with Elton John for his Duets album, "True Love".)
Kiki Dee began singing with a local band in Bradford in the early 1960s. Her recording career began as a session singer. She sang backing vocals for Dusty Springfield, among others, and was highly regarded by other singers but did not achieve solo success in the UK for many years. In the USA, her style was admired and she became the first British artist to be signed by Tamla Motown, releasing her first Tamla single in 1970.
In the days before Radio 1, Kiki Dee was a regular performer of other people's hits on BBC radio, and she starred with a group of session singers in the BBC2 singalong series One More Time. She even appeared in an early episode of The Benny Hill Show on January 27, 1971, performing the Blood, Sweat, and Tears hit, "You've Made Me So Very Happy". Nevertheless, it was only after she joined forces with Elton John and Rocket Records that she became a household name in the UK. Her first major hits were "I Got The Music In Me" (1974) and "Amoureuse" (1973).
She has released 39 singles, 3 EPs, 9 LPs and 2 CDs to date. During the 1970s and 1980s was regularly voted the top UK female singer, with her powerful and soulful voice equally suited to rockers or ballads.
Kiki Dee has also appeared in musical theatre - notably in the lead role in the West End musical Blood Brothers. She took on the role (originally played by Barbara Dickson for the 1988 production and recording).
She also performed at Live Aid, reprising "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with John, and performing backing vocals on the other songs in his set.
She still tours, and occasionally makes guest appearances on television in shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks. She has recorded with other artists such as Dave Stewart and guitarist Carmelo Luggeri.

Discography: