Lyn Collins Dies

Lyn Collins, 56, whose vocals landed her a spot in James Brown‘s early stage show, earning her the nickname “Female Preacher,” died March 13th in Pasadena, Calif., of cardiac arrhythmia.

At 14, she married a local promoter for the James Brown Revue and, in 1970, was invited to join The Godfather of Soul’s traveling show. Two years later, Collins cut her first solo album, Think (About It).

Years later, after appearing on various compilations, her voice was sampled in the 1980s hip-hop hit “It Takes Two.”

Collins lived in Abilene, Texas, but was visiting Los Angeles after having returned from a tour in Europe last month. She was due to start touring again in April.