Eherene Patricia “Patti” Drew-Reed, a celebrated American pop and soul singer who captured hearts in the 1960s with her heartfelt renditions of songs like “Tell Him” and “Working on a Groovy Thing”, passed away on June 16, 2025, at 80 years old (Wikipedia, Evanston RoundTable).

Born on December 29, 1944, in Charleston, South Carolina, Patti’s journey into music began in the pews of church, singing alongside her sisters in Nashville and Evanston’s Bethel AME and Mount Carmel congregations (Wikipedia, Evanston RoundTable).

Her early career took shape when Patti, along with sisters Lorraine and Erma, formed the Drew-Vels. Their 1963 single “Tell Him”, co-written with vocalist-songwriter Carlton Black (who also provided the bass backing), became a regional hit and charted on Billboard (Wikipedia, Evanston RoundTable).

After the group disbanded in 1965, Patti launched a solo career. She signed with Quill Records and later Capitol Records, through which she re-recorded “Tell Him” to national acclaim. That rendition reached No. 22 on the R&B charts and No. 85 on the Billboard Hot 100 (Wikipedia, Evanston RoundTable).

During her prolific period from 1967 to 1970, Patti released four studio albums — Tell Him, Workin’ On a Groovy Thing, I’ve Been Here All the Time, and Wild Is Love — alongside several singles that cemented her presence in the burgeoning soul scene.

Her version of “Working on a Groovy Thing” notably reached No. 34 on R&B charts (Wikipedia, Evanston RoundTable). She made notable television appearances, including on American Bandstand and Soul Train, and toured across the United States and South America (Wikipedia, Evanston RoundTable).

Patti stepped away from the music industry around 1971, though she resurfaced briefly in 1975 and later performed locally in a group called Front Line in the 1980s (Wikipedia, Evanston RoundTable).

In later years, her music found new appreciation; her recording of “Tell Him” featured on the soundtrack for the 2013 film The Butler, and a compilation album, The Best of Patti Drew – Workin’ on a Groovy Thing, was released in 2007 (Wikipedia, Wikipedia).

The Evanston RoundTable reported that services for Patti Drew–Reed were held on July 10 at Ebenezer AME Church in Evanston. She is survived by her son, Eric (Evanston RoundTable).

Patti Drew’s elegant embodiment of soul and pop, her gentle yet captivating voice, and her heartfelt storytelling through song made her a cherished icon of 1960s music.

In her passing, fans, family, and the music community mourn the loss of an artist whose voice transcended time and whose songs continue to resonate with listeners. Her legacy endures through her recordings, performances, and the countless lives she touched with her artistry.