b. 28 February 1943; Oakland, CA
d. 27 November 1998; Omaha, NE
An R&B singer from Chicago whose vulnerable soprano voice typified the city’s brand of soft soul
during the 1960s and 1970s. After Acklin joined
Brunswick Records in 1966, her first singles did not
meet major success, but when she teamed up with
Gene Chandler in 1968, the duo scored two hits:
‘‘Show Me the Way to Go’’ and ‘‘From the Teacher
to the Preacher.’’ Her solo career was also established
in 1968 with two big hits, ‘‘Love Makes a Woman’’
and ‘‘Just Ain’t No Love.’’ Acklin was a valuable
songwriter for Brunswick, achieving her first big success in 1966 by cowriting one of Jackie Wilson’s best
hits, ‘‘Whispers (Gettin’ Louder).’’ Collaborating
with the company’s ace songwriter, Eugene Record,
she contributed ‘‘Have I Seen Her,’’ ‘‘Let Me Be the
Man My Daddy Was,’’ and ‘‘Toby’’ for the Chi-Lites.
Acklin moved to Capitol Records in 1974 and, working with producer Willie Henderson, created the hit
called ‘‘Raindrops.’’ Her last chart record was in
1975. Acklin performed at the 1994 Chicago Blues
Festival.
ROBERT PRUTER
Bibliography
Pruter, Robert. ‘‘Barbara Acklin.’’ Goldmine (July 1983):
169–170.