it never rains in california

[sara racy]

does anyone know who the original singer of 'it never rains in southern california' is? i keep getting albert hammond but a friend keeps telling me that the original was by a woman...if he is the original, does anyone know who did covers for it other than smokie and joan baez? im looking for a woman singer...
many thanks!

[oceantrader]

The song was written by Albert Hammond but his version never made it into the charts. The only version to reach the "hot 100" was by a US band called Tony, Toni, Tone (according to Guinness). I don't know of a female version other than an album track by Sonny and Cher. Your friend could be wrong!

[Clanad]

The original was by Hammond and became a 'one hit wonder' but was recorded in 1973 by Agnes Chan on an album named With Love From Agnes...