Minnie Riperton
The tragic 1979 death of 31-year-old Minnie Riperton silenced one of soul music's most unique and unforgettable voices -- blessed with an angelic five-octave vocal range.
Riperton was born in Chicago on November 8, 1947; as a youth she studied music, drama, and dance at the city's Lincoln Center and later contemplated a career in opera.
Her pop
career began in 1961 when she joined the local girl group called the Gems, signing to the famed Chess label to release a handful of singles as well as lend backing vocals
to acts including Fontella Bass, the Dells, and Etta James. After graduating high school, Riperton went to work at Chess as a receptionist; following the Gems' dissolution, she signed
with the label as a solo act, releasing a single, Lonely Girl, under the alias Andrea Davis.
In 1968, Riperton was selected as the lead vocalist of the psychedelic soul band the Rotary Connection, which debuted that year with a self-titled LP. The singles
Amen and Lady Jane found a home on underground FM radio, but the group failed to make much impact on mainstream outlets.
In 1970 Riperton pursued a solo career; teaming with producer/arranger Charles Stepney and her husband/composer Richard Rudolph, she issued a brilliant debut album called
Come to My Garden, in 1970. But again commercial success eluded her grasp. In 1973 she relocated to Los Angeles, where she caught the ears of Stevie Wonder
and was immediately enlisted to his backing group, Wonderlove. Singing backing vocals on many tracks on Stevie's 1974, Fulfillingness' First Finale album
and touring as a member of his backing unit.
Stevie agreed to produce Minnies's 1974 album Perfect Angel, on which he also contributed two songs and played harmonica and keyboards.
The popularity of the international hit Lovin' You made her a household name. However subsequent LPs like 1975's
Adventures in Paradise and 1977's Stay in Love failed to repeat its success. By this time, however,
commercial woes were the least of her concerns. Diagnosed with breast cancer, she underwent a mastectomy in 1976, later becoming a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society
and earning a Society Courage Award from then-President Jimmy Carter.
Minnie continued performing despite her declining condition, with 1979's Minnie the final record completed during her lifetime --
she died in L.A. on July 12 of that year. Unreleased vocal tracks with new instrumental backing comprised 1980's posthumous collection Love Lives Forever
featuring many of Minnie's admirers such as Michael Jackson, George Benson, Peabo Bryson, Roberta Flack and Stevie.
Perfect Angel 1974
Reasons
It's So Nice (To See Old Friends)
Take A Little Trip
Seeing You This Way
The Edge Of A Dream
Perfect Angel
Every Time He Comes Around
Lovin' You
Our Lives
Producer: Stevie Wonder
Engineers: R. Margouleff, M. Cecil
Stevie Wonder - Piano, Electric Piano, Drums, Harmonica
Richard Rudolph - Guitar
Michael Sembello - Guitar
Marlo Henderson - Guitar
Reggie McBride - Bass
Ollie Brown - Drums
Rocki Dzidzornu - Congas
Stay In Love 1977
Stick Together
Minnie 1979
Lover And FriendRhythm Arrangements: Stevie Wonder
All Instruments except horns – Stevie Wonder
