Debra Byrd was a singer who recorded with Barry Manilow and Bob Dylan, as well as the head vocal coach on “American Idol.”
- Died: March 5, 2024 (Who else died on March 5?)
- Details of death: Died in Los Angeles at the age of 72.
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Debra Byrd’s legacy
Byrd began working with Manilow early in her career, when she was a teenager newly arrived in New York City after growing up in Cleveland. She impressed the star in auditions, and he hired her to back him on tour. It was the beginning of a musical partnership that lasted many years as she toured and recorded with him. For a period in the 1970s, she was a member of Manilow’s backing trio, Lady Flash, that had a hit with the Manilow co-written “Street Singin’.” As she gained fame in her singing career, she became known simply as “Byrd” to many who worked with her and followed her work.
In 2001, Byrd joined the “American Idol” team in the hit singing competition’s first season, mentoring each of the contestants. She became a beloved part of the show as she guided the young singers toward fame. In addition to working as the show’s head vocal coach, Byrd also sang backing vocals for the contestants. She went on to work as a vocal coach on “The Voice” and “Canadian Idol.”
Byrd also recorded and toured with Dylan on his “Hard to Handle” tour and on the song “Band of the Hand.” She was a vocal coach for the 2014 Oscars and sang in the choir backing Mary J. Blige in her Oscars telecast performance of “Mighty River” in 2018. She worked on Broadway and was an artist in residence at the Berklee College of Music.
Notable quote
“People entrust their vocal abilities to me and they trust my information. I think that’s the best thing. I’m very humbled and honored by it, and I feel the love and the honor and the respect. And there’s a joy I receive from just people trusting me.” —from a 2018 interview on the Paul Leslie Hour
Tributes to Debra Byrd
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
