written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King

produced by Gerry Goffin

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I’m making this page June 29th, 2021, which would’ve been the

78th birthday of Eva Narcissus Boyd, who went by the stage name

of Little Eva. Happy Birthday, LE.

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Eva was born and raised to mid-teens in North Carolina, as one of 13 (!) kids. Later on in her teens, she babysat for music biz couple Carole King and Gerry Goffin. Reportedly, they were in the midst of writing the demo that became “Loco-Motion,” originally for Dee Dee Sharp. But as they watched the funny way Eva would sing and dance around the house while babysitting, they decided to let her have a go at the song. It was clear she could sing, and she captured the attention of Don Kirshner with Dimension Records, who signed her and released “Loco-Motion” as her debut single in ’62. It hit #1 on the US R&B chart and #2 in the UK.

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Although Eva stopped releasing singles after the ’60s, she kept performing right up until the opening of the 21st century, when diagnosed with cervical cancer. She died in April ’03, two mere months shy of reaching her big 6-0. But anyone who knows the history of “Loco-Motion”—including Grand Funk and Kylie Minogue—knows too whom they have to thank for it. Along with Carole and Gerry, of course.

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I have two versions of the song (of Little Eva’s original version of it, that is). As far as I can tell, they were both recorded around the ’62 debut date.

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RIP Eva, 6/29/43 to 4/10/03.

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Have notes to add? Let me know!

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YT:

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