MARCI LEE
The official website of singer and model Marci Lee
Marci in the studio with Johnny Otis at Capitol Records - 1959
WELCOME
Welcome to the official website of Marci Lee — the trailblazing singer and model once known to the world as Marzetta Freeman. Here, you can explore the life, music, and legacy of a woman whose voice shimmered through the golden era of American R&B.
From her gospel roots in South Los Angeles to the spotlight of the 1950s stage, Marci Lee’s contralto carried both soul and sophistication. Her performances — equal parts velvet and voltage — turned heads and won hearts across radio waves and nightclub stages alike.
Signed to powerhouse labels like Specialty Records and Capitol Records, Marci made her mark with The Echoes’ haunting version of “Over the Rainbow” (1957) and her electrifying duet with Johnny Otis, “Castin’ My Spell” (1959) — a hit that climbed to No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Beyond the studio, Marci was a commanding presence on the West Coast nightclub circuit, her voice filling rooms from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. A sought-after model and pageant star, she fronted national ad campaigns while continuing to embody the elegance, confidence, and artistry that defined a generation of Black entertainers breaking new ground in American culture.
MARCI'S MUSIC
Celebrate the legacy and music of Marci Lee
This small selection of recordings is treasured by Marci's family and friends and now collected for the first time on this definitive playlist. Some of these songs have links to Spotify and Apple Music for your continued listening pleasure while you will note that others are currently not available on any streaming service. Some of these songs had been lost to time until the advent of youtube and the dedicated fans who uploaded recordings from their original vinyl copies to share with the world while others have been celebrated, played and covered many times over the years. The last two songs, "Have a Heart" and "Take My Hand" were originally shelved in favor of songs with stronger vocals but recently released as part of a compilation of recordings on the Combo label.
"Castin' My Spell" reached 52 on The Billboard Hot 100 chart, has been covered by other artists and continues to be a fan favorite for playlists and mixes particularly during the Halloween season. "Telephone Baby" became a favorite tune in The Netherlands and is still enjoyed and covered by Dutch fans to this very day. "Over The Rainbow" and it's B-Side "Someone" were both well received on The Cashbox Charts and still played by vinyl lovers today.
