Ears And Eyes singer Mo James dies

SINGER and broadcaster Mo James has died. Mo, the sister of lona founder Dave Bainbridge, spent her early career in the '70s working as a jobbing musician in the club scene in the north of England, sometimes opening for the pop acts of the day. She possessed a kind heart, keen observant sense of humour and a smoky, bluesy voice which many critics compared to Maggie Bell.

In the early '80s, having become a Christian, Mo worked both as a solo singer and session vocalist and recorded a single for Ears & Eyes and one album, 'More Love', for the Marshalls label. On the album she was backed by the Joe English Band and despite a successful appearance at Greenbelt, Mo's Christian music solo career failed to take off. She continued to work as a vocalist for other artists and to play some solo dates and is well remembered as a backing vocalist in Martyn Joseph's Sold Out band. In the late '80s, Mo moved into music management, taking a position with the Leeds-based Ears & Eyes independent record label until it ceased operating. During the '90s Mo regularly presented Sunday morning programmes for BBC Radio Leeds as well as occasionally filling in for other presenters.

In late February Mo was rushed to hospital in Leeds following a brain haemorrhage. At first Mo made some progress and regained consciousness, but following surgery to help drain fluid from her brain, she had a further seizure and died peacefully in her sleep. She is survived by her husband Mike and her children.