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Jennifer Hudson, Barry Manilow ‘Heartbroken’ Over Death of ‘American Idol’ Vocal Coach Debra Byrd
Jennifer Hudson, Barry Manilow, Clay Aiken and more have paid tribute to 'American Idol' and 'The Voice' vocal coach Debra Byrd following death at 72.
Throughout her decades-long career, the singer performed alongside Barry Manilow and Bob Dylan before helping to shape generational talents as a vocal coach on American Idol, including Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, and Jennifer Hudson. While much of Byrd’s career has been rooted in her work behind the scenes — whether as coach or in her role overseeing vocal production for the Spike Lee-directed Super Bowl tribute to Prince in 2019 — she earned an entry on the Billboard Hot 100 with Manilow on “Street Singin'” in 1976. Her passion for life, music and helping others traveled far beyond her own experiences in the business, and into the lives of so many young aspiring singers & hopefuls like me,” former American Idol contestant Elliott Yamin wrote on Instagram.
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