Freda Payne is an American singer and actress, best known for her 1970 hit single, "Band of Gold." She began her career in the mid-1960s, performing primarily jazz before transitioning into R&B and soul. Over the course of her career, Payne has released more than 20 albums, demonstrating a vocal range that spans genres from pop and dance to gospel, demonstrating her versatility as an artist. Her influence on American music is particularly noticeable in the soul and R&B genres.