Freda Payne, the legendary singer who rose to fame in the '60s, made her mark with a voice that could stop traffic. She was the kind of artist who wasn't just chasing dreams; she was living them. Working alongside some of the biggest names in New York City, Freda set the stage for her incredible career. Her big break came in 1970 with the gold record for "Band of Gold," and from there, her star only continued to rise. But her journey wasn't just about music; it was also about family. On September 19, 1977, Freda welcomed her son, Gregory Abbott Jr., into the world—a day that would forever change her life.
Freda's early career was a whirlwind of hits. Songs like "Deeper and Deeper" and "Bring the Boys Home" became staples under the Invictus label, cementing her place in the music industry. Later, she signed with ABC Records and Capitol, where she became synonymous with the disco era. But before all of that, Freda was just a girl from Michigan chasing her dreams. In 1976, she married Gregory Abbott, a talented singer who would later hit No. 1 with "Shake You Down." Their union brought them not only love but also a little bundle of joy, Gregory Abbott Jr., just a year after their wedding. As a working mother, Freda had to navigate the tricky waters of balancing a thriving career with raising a child.
Adjusting to Life as a Working Mom
Being a working mom is never easy, and Freda was no exception. In a candid interview with Closer in December 2021, she opened up about the challenges of balancing her career with motherhood. "There were times when it got pretty tough," Freda recalled. "I remember once I had to leave Gregory because I was working on a show that was supposed to head to Broadway. I needed all my attention on this show, and I didn't see my son for, like, four weeks. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do." But Freda wasn't alone in her journey. Her sister, Scherrie, was always there to lend a helping hand. "Scherrie is my heart," Freda said with a smile. "If she wasn't working or busy, she would come and keep Gregory for a few days. She helped out a lot."
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Gregory Abbott Jr.'s Early Years
Growing up with two musical legends as parents, Gregory Abbott Jr. had a unique start to life. Gregory Sr. shared his joy with Jet in 1977, describing his son as a "sweet little spirit." When the baby cried, Gregory would sing him some of Freda's songs to soothe him. But life took a turn in 1979 when Freda and Gregory Sr. divorced. Despite the split, they shared joint custody of their son, who was just 19 months old at the time. Freda, ever the resilient spirit, kept her career going strong during the divorce. In 1981, she even hosted her own talk show. Along the way, she dated Edmund Sylvers, the lead singer of The Sylvers, until 1983. Edmund played a significant role in Freda's career, helping write and produce her 1982 single "In Motion." Together, they attended an event hosted by Muhammad Ali in 1982, bringing Gregory Jr. along for the ride.
Celebrating Life's Milestones
As the years went by, Freda continued to celebrate life's milestones with her son. In September 2021, she marked a special occasion—her birthday, which she shared with Gregory Jr. The mother-son duo posed for photos before heading out for a birthday lunch attended by none other than RuPaul. While Gregory Jr. has largely stayed out of the spotlight, he did make a brief appearance in the entertainment world. According to IMDb, he played Samson Webb in the 2006 film The Eden Formula. Freda, an inductee of the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, continues to inspire with her music and her life story.
