SHEA CHAMBERS - ALLMUSIC
Shea Chambers Biography by Matt Collar, AllMusic Vocalist Shea Chambers is known for her crossover, pop, R&B, and jazz-influenced work.
She initially garnered industry attention as a session vocalist after singing un-credited the 1981 film version of Endless Love featured in the movie of the same name. Chambers has worked with Barry White, Steve Salas, and José Feliciano, among others. Her debut solo album, Shea, arrived in 2009.
Born Sheila Gay Chambers in Fort Knox, Kentucky, Chambers grew up in West Bloomfield, Michigan, where she studied piano, violin, and dance. As a teenager, she became more interested in singing and was involved in various high school theater productions, including starring in and choreographing a staging of West Side Story. She also sang with a local band before moving to Los Angeles to pursue her career.
There, she worked various jobs to make ends meet, including taking a receptionist position at MCA Whitney Recording Studio in Glendale. It was during this period that she befriended Barry White's arranger Gene Page, who assisted her in recording a demo EP produced by Leon Ware. This led to Chambers (now working as Sheilah Chambers) recording the original version of Lionel Richie's Endless Love that was featured dietetically in the 1981 film Endless Love. Unfortunately, she remained un-credited for her work, and her version of the song was never included on the movie's soundtrack. More studio work followed, though, including backing sessions with Barry White, Alan Hewitt, Steve Salas, and others.
Chambers also moved into TV work, appearing on shows like Dharma & Greg, 7th Heaven, and The Arsenio Hall Show, and working as a music supervisor for Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, Boston Public, and other productions. She continued singing, adopting her nickname Shea and releasing her 2009 solo debut, Shea, which found her singing a mix of Pop, R&B, and jazz. Chambers also continued her session work, duetting with José Feliciano on 2012's I'm So Glad We Met, a ballad that garnered an early Grammy nomination for Best Duet by a Duo or Group.
She initially garnered industry attention as a session vocalist after singing un-credited the 1981 film version of Endless Love featured in the movie of the same name. Chambers has worked with Barry White, Steve Salas, and José Feliciano, among others. Her debut solo album, Shea, arrived in 2009.
Born Sheila Gay Chambers in Fort Knox, Kentucky, Chambers grew up in West Bloomfield, Michigan, where she studied piano, violin, and dance. As a teenager, she became more interested in singing and was involved in various high school theater productions, including starring in and choreographing a staging of West Side Story. She also sang with a local band before moving to Los Angeles to pursue her career.
There, she worked various jobs to make ends meet, including taking a receptionist position at MCA Whitney Recording Studio in Glendale. It was during this period that she befriended Barry White's arranger Gene Page, who assisted her in recording a demo EP produced by Leon Ware. This led to Chambers (now working as Sheilah Chambers) recording the original version of Lionel Richie's Endless Love that was featured dietetically in the 1981 film Endless Love. Unfortunately, she remained un-credited for her work, and her version of the song was never included on the movie's soundtrack. More studio work followed, though, including backing sessions with Barry White, Alan Hewitt, Steve Salas, and others.
Chambers also moved into TV work, appearing on shows like Dharma & Greg, 7th Heaven, and The Arsenio Hall Show, and working as a music supervisor for Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, Boston Public, and other productions. She continued singing, adopting her nickname Shea and releasing her 2009 solo debut, Shea, which found her singing a mix of Pop, R&B, and jazz. Chambers also continued her session work, duetting with José Feliciano on 2012's I'm So Glad We Met, a ballad that garnered an early Grammy nomination for Best Duet by a Duo or Group.