Odia Coates

Odia Coates (November 13, 1941 – May 19, 1991) was an African-American singer from Vicksburg, Mississippi, who appeared on Broadway in 1975 and became widely recognized for her recorded collaborations with Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka.

Born the daughter of an evangelical minister, Coates spent her early childhood in Vicksburg before her family relocated to Watts, California, where her father served as pastor of the Beautiful Gates Church of God in Christ. She sang in that church's choir and later became a member of the Northern California State Youth Choir, an ensemble co-founded by Edwin Hawkins. She subsequently joined the vocal group Sisters Love.

Her professional breakthrough came through her association with Anka. Having encountered her voice on an Edwin Hawkins Singers gospel album, Anka recruited her to provide the female vocal on "(You're) Having My Baby," which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 during the period of August 24 through September 7, 1974. Satisfied with both the artistic and commercial outcome, Anka continued recording with Coates, producing several additional charting duets. These included "One Man Woman/One Woman Man" in 1974, and both "I Don't Like to Sleep Alone" and "(I Believe) There's Nothing Stronger Than Our Love" in 1975, all of which placed in the Top 10 or Top 20. In Australia, "One Man Woman" peaked at number 35 and "(I Believe) There's Nothing Stronger Than Our Love" reached number 83, both in 1975. The pair recorded a further duet, "Make It Up To Me in Love," in 1977, conceived as a sequel to "One Man Woman/One Woman Man."

Coates also pursued solo work, releasing a self-titled album in 1975 on United Artists Records, produced by Rick Hall. That record included the Anka-penned "You Come And You Go" and a cover of the Electric Light Orchestra song "Showdown." An earlier solo recording, "Make It Up To Me Baby," written by Anka and Johnny Harris, appeared on Buddah Records in 1973 and became a sought-after title among soul collectors. In 1984 and 1985, Coates was working on an additional solo album in Las Vegas at L.A.W. Recording Studios, with producer Lee Waters, with tracks also recorded at Paramount and Sunset studios in Los Angeles.

Her Broadway credit, listed under the name Paul Anka, dates to 1975. Coates died on May 19, 1991, at Oakland Medical Center from breast cancer, following a four-year battle with the disease. She was 49 years old.