Patti Drew

Drew was born in Charleston, South Carolina and grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and Evanston, Illinois.^[1] She sang in church with her sisters, Lorraine and Erma at Mount Carmel Baptist and Bethel African Methodist Episcopal.^[2] Drew's mother worked for Capitol Records executive Maurice Lathouwers, who heard Drew and her sisters sing in a church service and signed the group as the Drew-Vels.^[2] They first recorded "Tell Him" which was written by Carlton Black (and not to be confused with "Tell Him" by The Exciters) and featured Black on the record singing bass.^[2] The single release was a local pop and R&B hit in 1964,^[2] and entered the 'Billboard' pop chart the same year.^[3] Two follow-up singles also in 1964 did well in Chicago, "It's My Time" and "I've Known." By 1965 the group had broken up.^[4]

Patti Drew signed as a solo artist to Quill Records in 1965 and soon after moved up to Capitol, issuing a new recording of "Tell Him," It was the first of three charting singles on Capitol.^[4] She released four albums before leaving the industry in 1971,^[1] though she recorded a one-off single in 1975 and sang locally in Evanston in the group Front Line in the 1980s.^[3]

Drew died on June 16, 2025, at the age of 80.^[5][6] She is survived by her son Eric.^[1] In September 2025, Drew was selected for induction into the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame and was slated for induction in October.^[7]