1943-
Gloria Gayner, born Gloria Fowles in Newark, is a singer, whose biggest hit is the 1978 “I Will Survive”.
Gloria lived on Howard Street and the Stella Wright Projects as a child and graduated South Side High in 1961. In 1963, she wrote a letter to the Star Ledger in tribute to President Kennedy.
Gloria states she began her career singing locally in Newark including at the Cadillac Club, and Playbill and at clubs along the East Coast, before being signed by Columbia Records in 1971. She also worked at Bamberger’s.
In 1979 she married her manager Linwood Simon. In 2023, she donated art to University Hospital.
Bibliography
Barbara J Kukla Papers, Newark Library’
Gaynor, Gloria. I Will Survive: The Book
Newark Library Digital Collections 1 2 3
“A small tribute” Star Ledger Nov 26, 1963
“Gloria” Star Ledger Oct 26, 1997
“Gloria Gaynor…” Star Ledger Sept 3, 2023