Lillian Lopez, one of the founding members of the dance group Odyssey, passed away on Tuesday from cancer. She was 76.
Her son, Steven Andre, announced her death on the band's Facebook tribute page:
McEachern replaced Reynolds starting with the second album, 1978's Hollywood Party Tonight, and would stay with them through the rest of their contract with RCA. They never had another Pop or R&B hit in the U.S. but scored well in the U.K. with Use It Up and Wear It Out (1980/#1 U.K.), If You're Lookin' For a Way Out (1980/#8 U.K.), Going Back to My Roots (1981/#4 U.K.) and Inside Out (1982/#3 U.K.).
Lillian continued to tour Europe and the Middle East with Al Jackson and Steven Collazo as Odyssey until 2000 when she married Jackson and retired from the business. She went on to become an author, writing the books Bowling Green (2003) and Eight Short Stories For Children (2011).
Her son, Steven Andre, announced her death on the band's Facebook tribute page:
Also posting a tribute was former Odyssey singer William "Bill" McEachern:It is with tremendous sadness that I announce the passing of my Mother, my mentor, and my very best friend, the founder and first voice of ODYSSEY, Lillian Lopez Collazo Jackson, who died peacefully in hospice on September 4th due to stage four cancer at the age of 76... She will live on in spirit through Annis, Anne, and me as we endeavour to carry on her legacy; to continue the musical journey that is, and always was, ODYSSEY... And of course, her magical voice can still be heard on practically any day, anywhere in the UK: When next you do, and if you can, TURN IT UP! She'd like that... Goodbye Ma, and Thank You...
To Lillian,Odyssey was the brainchild of sisters Lillian and Louise Lopez, although Louise would leave the group before it broke out. Tony Reynolds came on board for their first album, Odyssey, which produced their biggest U.S. hit, Native New Yorker (1977/#21 Pop/#6 R&B/#3 Dance/#5 U.K.) along with the single Weekend Lover (1977/#57 Pop/#37 R&B).
Rest in peace. The work you've done, speaks for you. Thank you for the opportunity to sing with you and Louise. I am grateful for all that we were able to share with the world together.
I hope to sing with you again, when I see you in heaven.
Thank God, our music still lives,
Bill McEachern
My condolences to the entire family
McEachern replaced Reynolds starting with the second album, 1978's Hollywood Party Tonight, and would stay with them through the rest of their contract with RCA. They never had another Pop or R&B hit in the U.S. but scored well in the U.K. with Use It Up and Wear It Out (1980/#1 U.K.), If You're Lookin' For a Way Out (1980/#8 U.K.), Going Back to My Roots (1981/#4 U.K.) and Inside Out (1982/#3 U.K.).
Lillian continued to tour Europe and the Middle East with Al Jackson and Steven Collazo as Odyssey until 2000 when she married Jackson and retired from the business. She went on to become an author, writing the books Bowling Green (2003) and Eight Short Stories For Children (2011).
Comments
Karen, Lincoln xx
DJ G
Mark from Kinmel Bay, North Wales
R.i.p if your looking for a way out wonderful song. X
Love
Steve Gould Crosskeys UK
Be honest, you are only adding a comment because you have no identity. The people in the Uk cannot decide who or what they are so they take on the identity of other nations. What a country of poor losers.
Lilian's voice and expressions on video are priceless.
I play her every day.
RIP
Mike Dunn
Years later I was thrilled to see Odyssey live at Morecambe, on the seafront, and Lilian was superb;Connecting to people, singing her heart out, smiling and touching hands with those in the crows, who loved her, and your group.
Every Sunday, at least three stations I flick through here in Lancashire, can be heard several songs of Odyssey:Looking for a Way out, gets played a lot, and always moves me;He voice tells the story for Millions.
She will contine to be loved every time someone new hears her voice, sees her smiling face, such as on Top of the Pops 1982, etc, re-runs and on YouTube or your website videos, etc.
She is immortal, up there, where she belongs, amonst other stars.
Rest in peace Lilian.
Paul Davies
My sister dancing with a hairbrush, singing along to Native New Yorker at home in the 70s.
Years later, I was lucky to see Odyssey live on Morecambe front and she connected with the audience, who loved Lilian. She touched their hands and sang from the heart.
She moved Millions of people all over the World and connected with them, in a way that no other soul singer ever has;She spoke for millions who suffered in silence.
I am coming to see Odyssey at Preston soon and will pay silent tribute to her as I listen to your beautiful music, keeping the spirit alive, of Odyssey.
May she rest in peace. Paul and Elaine Davies
I have the pleasure of seeing Lillian and Al live in the UK around 2001 and to say she sounded great was an understatement. Full of vitality, soul and bigger than life in personality.
With so many unique and talented soul performers leaving this earth ,I can only say heaven must be boogeying away up there.
R.I.P to another unique angel.
Also to remember Donna Summer,Maurice White,George Michael,Jermaine Stewart,Prince,Whitney Houston and many others all who have left their legacy well and truly to those devoted to TRUE MUSIC,SOUL and dance
My father (the late, great William Francis (Bill) Hamilton) also passed away in Basingstoke that year - so sad to discover the wonderfully talented Lillian was within touching distance then.
Frankly, I cannot comprehend how anybody, hearing "If you're looking for a way out" isn't elevated to a magical place for the duration of this beautiful outpouring of heart felt passion??
Almost the "Forest Gump" of music, I've been around from Jimi Hendrix's farewell at IOW 1970, Rainbow's incredible performance at the Edinburgh Playhouse 1976 through to the Grateful Dead's checking out gig in San Fran, so I thank you Lillian for bringing so much pleasure to those who appreciate your unique qualities.
Lord Hamilton of Glencoe
Dave Cook
Capitol Records