Faith Hope and Charity (US band)

The founding members of the group were Zulema Cusseaux, Brenda Hilliard and Al Bailey. They were originally a trio called the Lovelles, when they met record producer Van McCoy, who signed them to a recording contract at Maxwell Records. At this time, the group's name was changed to Faith, Hope and Charity.

Their song "So Much Love" hit #14 on the Billboard R&B chart and #51 on the Hot 100 in 1970.[1] The subsequent release "Baby Don't Take Your Love" reached #36 R&B and #96 in the Hot 100.[1]

Cusseaux left Faith, Hope and Charity in 1971, shortly after a label switch to Sussex Records, and started a solo career.[2] She was eventually replaced by Diane Destry in 1974.[1] Their biggest hit came with a switch to RCA Records in the mid-1970s. With Van McCoy still writing and producing for the group, they hit the top of the R&B charts with "To Each His Own" (1975; #1 R&B, #15 Dance, #50 Hot 100).

They then scored another hit in January 1976, reaching #38 in the UK Singles Chart with "Just One Look" (from their album, Faith, Hope & Charity).[3] It was a cover version of a Doris Troy track. Their single "Don't Pity Me" reached #20 on the R&B chart in 1978.[1] After a second album with RCA, which produced a couple of minor hits, Destry left, but Hilliard and Bailey carried on for another album in 1978, with 20th Century, before splitting up.[1]

It seemed that there was another member of Faith Hope & Charity in 1977. Priscilla Baskerville has been credited as being a member of the group on some recordings.[4]

Zulema Cusseaux died on September 30, 2013, at age 66.[5]

Bailey died on May 27, 2020.[6]

There was a girl band of the 1990s called Faith Hope & Charity that had no connection to this group.

• The Story on Faith Hope & Charity by The Chancellor of Soul (Mike Boone) Chancellor's Chronicles

• Faith Hope & Charity at Allmusic
• Faith Hope & Charity at Discogs