Home / Arts and Entertainment / Music Pioneer Vicki Wickham Dies at 87
Music Pioneer Vicki Wickham Dies at 87
2 Aug
Summary
- She managed Labelle and Dusty Springfield.
- She helped run the 'Ready Steady Go!' TV show.
- She died on Friday in the Bronx at age 87.
Vicki Wickham, a significant force in popular music, passed away on Friday in the Bronx at the age of 87. She was instrumental in managing artists such as the vocal trio Labelle and the renowned singer Dusty Springfield, profoundly influencing their careers. Wickham also played a vital role in the production of "Ready Steady Go!," a highly influential British television showcase from the 1960s.
The show, which aired from 1963 to 1966, became a crucial platform for introducing British audiences to Black American pop singers like Tina Turner and Marvin Gaye. Unlike rival programs, "Ready Steady Go!" featured live performances, fostering a spontaneous and revolutionary atmosphere that captured music, fashion, and youth culture.
Wickham's career extended to songwriting, including co-writing Dusty Springfield's 1966 hit "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me." She later moved to New York in 1970, where she helped establish the American office for Track Records and managed Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles, renaming them Labelle and guiding their transition into funk and glam rock.
Her extensive management roster also included Morrissey and Holly Johnson. In her later years, she co-authored a biography of Dusty Springfield and produced BBC radio documentaries on various artists. Wickham remained partnered with Nona Hendryx for nearly 60 years.
