Regina (born Ρεγγίνα Κυριάκος Χριστοδουλόπουλος (Eng: Regina Kyriakos Christodoulopoulos), May 1, 1953 - December 25, 1985- age 32) was a Greek-African-American singer, songwriter, producer, feminist, hippie, LGBT rights activist, and a member of the Black Panther Party. One of the most successful and widely known rock performers of her era, she was noted for her powerful mezzo-soprano vocals and "electric" stage presence.
Early life[]
Regina was born in Bryan, Texas, on May 1, 1953, to Betty Bonita East (1933–2016), a teacher at a segregated school, and her boyfriend (they couldn't marry due to interracial marriage laws until 1967), Georgios "George" Agape Christodoulopoulos (1920–1985), a Greek immigrant and engineer at Texaco. She had two younger siblings, Diana and Alexander.
Her parents were very abusive towards her and her younger siblings, so much so that in 1965, she took a train to Los Angeles. She was homeless for a year, until Ricky Vandella found her while he was doing LA performances. He brought her in, and raised her like one of his own. It was at this time when she began to hear Blues music around the house. She credits him with inspiring her to start singing.
Career[]
Regina cultivated a rebellious manner and styled herself partly after her female blues heroines and partly after the Beat poets. Her first song she recorded, "Jingle Bell Rock", was recorded on tape in December 1966.
She signed to Sunbow in 1971, and released her first single "Move Over" in November in that year. Her debut album released on January 2, 1972.
Death[]
Regina died on December 25, 1985, at her hotel room in Los Angeles, CA.