Mona Richardson (February 5, 1947 – August 5, 1985) was an American-born singer and actress who had performed with Johnny Otis, Ray Charles and Ike Turner. She ended up in Australia, where she died in 1985. She released a number of singles and albums for the Philips, RCA Victor and EMI labels.

Background Mona Richardson was a blues, jazz and soul singer. She was born in Los Angeles, California, on February 5, 1947. She came to Australia in 1980 and decided to stay. She was still in Australia when she died in 1985.The Blues Encyclopedia, edited by Edward Komara, Peter Lee - Page 831 RICHARDSON, MONA - EDWARD KOMARAThe Sydney Morning Herald, Sunday, August 11, 1985 - Page 154 Suicide - the ultimate right that leaves the heartbreaking question

Career 1970s Around the mid-1970s, she was being showcased at the Trophy Lounge in Las Vegas, the same venue where Judy Carp and The Rich Bono Duo appeared.Las Vegas Strip Historical Site - Flamingo 1960-1999 In May 1967, she was in Singapore, appearing at the Shangri-La Hotel's Tiara Supper Club from the 10th to the 31st.New Nation, Monday, May 24, 1976 - Page 3 Stars at Shangri-La In June 1977, Richardson was performing at the Hilton Hotel in Singapore.The Year I Followed the Sun, By Laurie J. Rutherford Pederson - Page 225

In 1978, her selft-titled Mona Richardson album was released on EMI. It was produced by Swedish born Hong Kong based musician, Anders Nelsson who also contributed backing vocals.Discogs - Mona Richardson – Mona RichardsonSouth China Morning Post, Saturday, 11 June 2016 - Hong Kong’s Swedish son Anders Nelsson turns 70 - Oliver Chou In 1979, her Disco Dazzler album was released. It was arranged and conducted by Hong Kong producer Chris Babida who would also work on albums for Andy Bautista and Sam Sorono.Discogs - Mona Richardson – Disco DazzlerDiscogs - Chris Babida Discography, Production

1980s She appeared on Sharifah Aini's Just for You album, which was released in 1980. The one song she contributed to was "Reunited", which was a hit for Peaches & Herb in 1978.Motown Encyclopedia, By Graham Betts - FREDDIE PERREN She came to Australia that year as part of a theatrical tour and decided to stay in the city of Melbourne.The Blues Encyclopedia, edited by Edward Komara, Peter Lee - Page 831 RICHARDSON, MONA - EDWARD KOMARA In September that year she was starring alongside Lorraine Bayly and Alfred Sandor in the stage production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at Her Majesty's Theatre in New South Wales, which was directed by Jerry Yoder.Theatre Australia, September, 1980 - Page 45 NSW THEATRE

In January 1982, she was a cast member of the production Barnum which played at Adelaide's Festival Theater. She gave an impressive performance as Joice Heth in the first part. Later in the show she returned in a different form as the Blues Singer and made an impactful performance which was described by Theatre Australia magazine, "to grab the show by the scruff of the neck to strut and shake out "Black and White".Theatre Australia, March 1982 - Page 32 S.A. Exciting, Confusing, Compelling, BARNUM by Gus Worby Her performance was also noted by The Sydney Morning Herald and the reviewer referred to her as "a brilliant presence".The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday, March 6, 1982 - Page 14 Livermore swings in with class

In early 1985, she had landed a regular spot at the Crab Cooker Supper Club at 482 Victoria Street, North Melbourne.The Age, Friday, February 1, 1985 - Page 61 Jazz Jazz joints set to jump again

Death She died in Melbourne Australia on August 5, 1985, as a result from falling to her death from her apartment. The cause of death was deemed to be suicide.The Blues Encyclopedia, edited by Edward Komara, Peter Lee - Page 831 RICHARDSON, MONA - EDWARD KOMARAThe Sydney Morning Herald, Sunday, August 11, 1985 - Page 154 Suicide - the ultimate right that leaves the heartbreaking question

Discography

+ Singles Title Release Year Notes # "Stay with Me" / "Heartbeat" RCA Victor RCA 2309 1973 "Crumbs Off The Table" / "You're No Good" RCA Victor RCA 2340 1973 "Bang, Bang" / "The House Of The Rising Sun" EMI Japan EMR-20488 1978 "Bang Bang" / "House Of The Rising Sun" Toshiba-EMI Ltd EMR-20488 1978 Japanese promoDiscogs - Mona Richardson Discography, Singles & EPs45Cat - Mona Richardson - Discography, Japan45Cat - Mona Richardson - Discography, UK

+ Albums Album title Release Year Notes # Try It, You'll Like It Philips 6455501 1977 Mona Richardson EMI EMGS-6040 1978 Released in France as Disco Mania Disco Dazzler EMI EMGS 6054 1979 Live Euromaster Stereocolor LP 768 Discogs - Mona Richardson Discography, Albums

Stage + Appearances Title Venue Director Role Date Notes Barnum Her Majesty's TheatreMelbourne, Victoria 16 June 1982 Barnum Regent TheatreSydney, NSW 5 March 1982 Barnum Festival TheatreAdelaide, SA 13 January 1982 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Her Majesty's TheatreSydney, NSW, 13 September 1980 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Her Majesty's TheatreMelbourne, VIC 7 February 1981AusStage - Mona Richardson

References

External links Vinyl Knights - Mona Richardson - The Original International Disco Queen Imagesofjazz.com: 2 pics of Mona in 1973