Originally from Gary, Indiana, Deniece was in Baltimore attending Morgan State College in 1969 when she began singing with the local house band at the Casino Club on Pennsylvania Avenue. Ms. Williams had some singing experience back in Indiana making a couple of recordings on the Toddlin’ Town label under the name Deniece Chandler. After completing her college studies, she returned home to find that Stevie Wonder wanted to audition her after hearing some recordings. She joined Stevie’s group Wonderlove and toured in 1972 with the Rolling Stones.
After a hiatus from music Williams came to Baltimore at the start of her solo career appearing at the Hollywood Palace in 1976. She went on to amass over 25 hits including three #1’s throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s.
