Minnie Julia Riperton Rudolph (November 8, 1947 – July 12, 1979) was an American singer-songwriter best known for her 1975 single "Lovin' You" and her four octave D3 to F♯7 coloratura soprano range. The Chicago native is also widely known for her use of the whistle register and has been referred to by the media as the "Queen of the Whistle Register." She is the mother of actress/comedian Maya Rudolph.
LaDonna Adrian Gaines (December 31, 1948 – May 17, 2012), known professionally as Donna Summer, was an American singer, songwriter, and actress. The Boston native became known as the "Queen of Disco" during the 1970s. She won five Grammy Awards and sold over 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Deniece Williams (born June Deniece Chandler; June 3, 1951) is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Williams has been described as "one of the great soul voices" by the BBC. She is best known for the songs "Free", "Silly", "It's Gonna Take a Miracle" and two Billboard Hot 100 No.1 singles "Let's Hear It for the Boy" and "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" (with Johnny Mathis). Williams has won four Grammys with twelve nominations altogether
Barbara Ann "Bobbi" Humphrey (born April 25, 1950) is an American jazz flautist and singer who plays jazz fusion, funk, and soul-jazz. She has recorded twelve albums and founded the jazz label Paradise Sounds Records. In 1971, she was the first female instrumentalist signed by the legendary jazz label Blue Note Records.
The Blackberries were a female vocal trio composed of experienced backing vocalists. Members have included Clydie King (August 21, 1943 – January 7, 2019), Venetta Fields, Sherlie Matthews, Patrice Holloway (March 23, 1951 – October 3, 2006), Billie Barnum (sister of music producer H.B. Barnum) and Carlena Williams (February 25, 1942 – November 13, 2013). They backed various artists, including Pacific Gas & Electric, Humble Pie, Ringo Starr, and Pink Floyd. The Blackberries recorded for Motown's West Coast subsidiary MoWest and A&M Records.
The Charmaines were an Ohio based female soul trio. Sisters Marian (Gigi) and Jerri Jackson had sung together, but at the start of the girl group sound in 1959/60, Marian started a trio with Irene Vinegar and Dee Watkins. The group was signed to Fraternity records and started recording at King Studios in Cincinnati, OH. They released two 45s on Fraternity, with the second one, "What Kind Of Girl" being their highest charting record, although only making it to #117 in the Billboard charts. They had a one shot 45 on Dot before returning to Fraternity.
Love Unlimited was a female vocal trio that provided backing vocals for American singer-songwriter Barry White on his albums and concert tours. Formed in 1969, the group included White's future wife, Glodean James, her twin sister, Linda James, and their cousin Diane Taylor (1947-1985). Their first hit, "Walkin' in the Rain with the One I Love" sold 1 million copies and was certified gold in 1972.
Cheryl Anne Norton (born October 13, 1958), better known by her stage name Cherrelle, is an American R&B singer and songwriter who gained fame in the mid-1980s. Her signature hits include "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On", "Where Do I Run To", "Everything I Miss at Home", and duets with R&B singer Alexander O'Neal such as "Saturday Love" and "Never Knew Love Like This, as well as "Always" with her cousin Pebbles.
Venus Dodson was part of a loose NYC-based collective in the late 1970's that revolved around singer-songwriter Leroy Burgess and producer Patrick Adams. After years of performing and doing backup vocals for artists such as The Kay Gees, Salsoul Orchestra, Phreek, Herbie Mann and others, Venus Dodson was offered an album deal with RFC Records.
Carol Douglas (born April 7, 1948) is an American singer whose 1974 hit "Doctor's Orders" was a pioneering track in the disco genre. She is the daughter of Minnie Newsome, a jazz performer who has been cited as the inspiration for the Cab Calloway classic "Minnie the Moocher." Singer Sam Cooke was her cousin.
Two Tons O' Fun were an American female R&B/ disco duo comprised of Martha Wash and Izora Armstead. Formed in 1976 in San Francisco, California, Two Tons O' Fun began their musical career as the female backup duo for disco singer Sylvester. The duo was signed in 1979 to Fantasy Records. In 1983, they resurfaced as The Weather Girls and signed to Columbia Records. Their best-selling single, "It's Raining Men" (1982), became their first number-one dance song. Despite critical and commercial success, the duo struggled to repeat the success of "It's Raining Men" and ultimately disbanded after the release of their self-titled fifth album The Weather Girls in 1988.
Oklahoma native Effie Smith (born Effie Mae Blu or Bly, April 10, 1914 – February 11, 1977) was an American blues and jazz singer and comedian, best known for "Dial That Telephone", a song she first recorded in 1953 which became an R&B hit in 1965. She later worked in promotion at Stax Records.
