‘Our Linda’ Lewis is honoured with a plaque to mark her journey from ‘Custom House to California’

THE teeming rain didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits as Newham’s very own songbird, soul singer and songwriter Linda Lewis was honoured in a special ceremony and celebration today.

It was a fitting honour for the woman who went on to create music history…and who went, as one of her friends touchingly said: “From Custom House to California.”

A blue plaque was unveiled on Linda’s former home in Chiswick. It was erected by the Nubian Jak Community Trust, who are affiliated to English Heritage.

And it was revealed at the ceremony and celebration that her family and friends are working with Newham Council to get a similar tribute to her life in her home town.

• Linda’s family as the plaque was revealed

Linda was born to a  single mum, in 1950s Custom House. Blessed with a ‘voice of an angel’ and vocal range of five octaves, Linda stood out at a very young age as the only black girl in her Catholic school.

Her hits included Rock A Doodle Do, It’s in His Kiss, and Days of the Old School Yard.

Against the odds, she went on to become the very first British black woman to enter the UK charts, essentially our first black pop star, and went on to play the legendary Glastonbury Festival in 1971 at 20.

• Linda in action

A multi talented singer songwriter and guitarist, Linda soon found herself in the company of major music icons including David Bowie, Rod Stewart, David Essex, Cat Stevens, Marc Bolan and Stevie Wonder.

Cllr Karen Smith, Mayor of Hounslow, paid tribute to Linda at the ceremony.

One of her sisters Dee Lewis Clay also spoke about her talent and remembered times back in Newham and in Chiswick and said they were “East End girls with West End ways.”

Linda’s first husband Jim Cregan told her superstar Stevie Wonder visited them both and specifically asked his team to meet Linda on his trip to London – and formed a close friendship with them both.

Corrine Drewery, a singer with Sing Out Sister, spoke of their close friendship and told how police pulled them over in America – for Linda’s autograph!

“Her journey was remarkable – from Custom House to California.”

Linda sadly passed away very suddenly in May last year at her then home in Waltham Abbey but her musical legacy lives on. Pink Flamingo Media Group and the ‘Linda Lewis Estate’ are currently in talks regarding a stage show on Linda’s extraordinary life and a potential TV series.

• Linda’s first husband Jim Cregan pays tribute while videos of Linda play

It was an honour to be invited by her family to the event. I interviewed Linda many times over the years for various stories and features for the Newham Recorder. Her mum Lily, who ran the Red House and Lord Raglan pubs in Plaistow, said to me the first time we met: “You seem like nice young man!”

Talking to Linda was just like talking to a school mate. At first I think she could not believe her fame. She was beautiful inside and out and so talented. She was proud of her roots and her family were so proud of her.

She had a passion for history . And I named probably  the most successful column in the paper’s history, Days of the Old School Yard, where locals living all over the world shared memories of their schooldays  over 25 years ago.

• Pictures of Linda taken for a Newham Recorder feature  in the late 1970s

In 1986 and 1987, she recorded with her sisters Dee and Shirley as Lewis, then as Lewis Sisters.

The blue plaque in Linda’s memory was unveiled at midday on what would have been her 73rd birthday at Arlington Mansions on Sutton Lane, Chiswick , where she wrote her album Lark.

Linda, who was born Linda Fredericks died at her home in  Waltham Abbey in May last year aged, 72.

After Linda’s passing Singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading said: “She had a beautiful voice and was a really lovely person.”

Cat Stevens said on X: “I’m so sorry to hear of Linda’s passing. She was a good soul-friend and fine artist”, adding that Lewis was like “an amazing bird that kindly visited the window sill of our earthly house for a few days, then flew away back to her garden.”

The Nubian Jak Community (NJCT) team collaborates and partners with a wide coalition of organisations and individuals to raise awareness about important transatlantic figures who are too often lost to the history books. Nubian Jak bears witness to their historical presence, bringing to life their stories and contributions across Britain to a wider audience for posterity. The charity said it is always eternally grateful for donations, as this empowers and enables this important and historic work to continue.

The family also revealed that Linda will also feature in a Victoria & Albert Museum exhibition in 2025.

Added Dee: “We are hopeful there will be a tribute to her life in Newham in the not to distant future.”

*****Pictures: Colin Grainger and the Lewis family