From the moment Veniece Starks hit the music scene with her first recording, “What More Do You Want From Me,” it was clear she was a star. She followed up with “You Gotta Take The Bitter With The Sweet,” recorded at the legendary Hi Records in the mid-60s. She later eliminated her last name and recorded “Let’s Stop,” “18 Days,” and “Trying To Live My Life Without You” simply as Veniece. In 1966 she appeared on the television soul showcase “The Beat,” which led to her appearance on Bear Family Records’ DVD release and performed on shows with Al Green, Booker T & the MGs, Ace Cannon, Willie Mitchell, Charlie Rich and Rita Coolidge.
In 1969, she toured with the groundbreaking James Brown Revue and in 1971 she toured Germany, Switzerland and England with the Wilson Pickett Revue. For eight continuous years, she was the main attraction at Elvis Presley’s New Year’s Party. For eight years, Starks, a devoted volunteer for the Southern Heritage Classic, was associated with WLOK Radio in Memphis. For 23 years, starting in 1979, she held what she considered her dream job as a promotion and marketing manager at Atlantic Records where she worked closely with Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Ray Charles, The Spinners, Brandy, Aaliyah, Lil Kim, Gerald Levert, Johnny Gill, Glenn Jones, Phil Collins, En Vogue, and more.
Starks was born in Crenshaw, Mississippi, the seventh of eleven children. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1956 and Universal Business College in 1970, both in Memphis, TN. Not surprising to anyone who knew this fashionable lady, she was crowned the Queen of Memphis Cotton Maker’s Jubilee in 1958!
Veniece Starks died on September 20, 2019, at the age of 79. Legends are defined by their work and how it impacts the culture. We remember Veniece Starks so others don’t forget.
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