Lauren Copley

In the 1970s, South African singer Lauren Copley (Born May 16, 1957) enjoyed considerable acclaim as a teenage recording artist in South Africa. Described by music critics as a ‘rare happening in music, she had several chart topping hits, including Flower of Life; It’s too late now and Kentucky Blues. After a teacher discovered Lauren’s voice at age six, she became her country’s youngest recording artist at age 11 when her debut record album Seven years older than four was released. The popular teen singer received Gold discs for two of her hit singles, Kentucky Blues and It’s too late now. At age 15, Lauren competed against international artists including Paul Williams, Mickey Newbury, Olivia Newton John and Lynsey de Paul in the second Tokyo Music Festival in Japan in 1973, receiving the Cherry Blossom merit award for her performance.

Fans and family were dismayed when Lauren took the controversial decision to quit singing as a career at age 20, despite being on the brink of international stardom. Disillusioned with commercial exploitation, lack of privacy and continually being in the limelight, she chose to keep a very low musical profile. She opted instead to obtain a university degree majoring in criminology and psychology, and later pursued a successful career as a professional journalist.