| Author | Message | ||
  bigdaddyg2k4 (bigdaddyg2k4) 3-Pundit Username: bigdaddyg2k4 Post Number: 43 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 63.102.169.145 |
Fellow SDF members and guests, this Monday, July 12, 2004 will mark a day forever shared by yours truly and a woman that is loved by one and all through celebration and tragedy. Because this Monday will be my 33rd birthday A day conicided by the 25th Anniversary of the death of songstress Minnie Riperton from a long and valiant battle against breast cancer (a dreaded disease that is now more than ever important to find a cure for). Indeed this is a bittersweet time to reflect on my life and also the life of the legendary singer/songwriter who has touched many lives through her timeless songs that seem to never disappear after all these years and I (and of course all of you) are glad and fortunate that will never happen; for she has left a body of work that is cherished and appreciated eternally for she was and still is "A Perfect Angel" that never left our side in spirit, long after she has been gone. Her remarkable journey began in Chicago on November 8, 1947 a time when black music was in full swing by legends such as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and genres such as the blues, made famous by artists like John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters, who made the windy city a hotbed of the highly influential Chicago Blues. After studying opera as a child, Minnie decided she wanted a career in pop music when she reached her teens. She was hired as a receptionist at Chess Records, from there she joined a vocal group called the Gems that sang backup behind Fontella Bass ("Rescue Me"), Etta James ("At Last") and other Chess artists. In 1967, she sang with the psychedelic pop band, Rotary Connection, that cut four albums on Cadet. "Amen" from their 1968 debut album was an FM radio staple for many years. After Rotary Connection split up in 1970, she recorded an unsuccessful debut album for Janus, "Come To My Garden". She also sang for Stevie Wonder's backup band Wonderlove (whose alumnus included future superstar in her own right, Deniece Williams) before signing with Epic Records in 1974. "Perfect Angel" with two tracks coproduced by Wonder, was her breakthrough successful album. It was certified Gold and contained Wonder's composition "Lovin' You" which reached #1 pop and #3 R&B, also certified Gold, and became the biggest hit of her career in 1975. Later that year she released "Adventures In Paradise" which had another R&B classic "Inside My Love" and in 1977, released her final LP for Epic "Stay In Love" which contained the soothing ballad "Can You Feel What I'm Saying?", co-written by future husband Richard Rudolph and Motown producer/singer Leon Ware, who also co-produced (with T-Boy Ross) Marvin Gaye's "I Want You" album the year before. In 1976, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in which she eventually had a mastectomy, and spent much of her time as a spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society speaking the importantance of breast examinations and treatment for the disease. In 1978, she signed with Capitol Records and released her final album "Minnie" in 1979 which contained her last hit "Memory Lane" before her condition gradually worsened and died in a Los Angeles hospital on July 12, 1979 at the young age of 32. In 1980, Capitol released "Love Lives Forever", a posthumous collection consisting of Riperton's previously unreleased vocal tracks with completely new backing. Her legacy continues to live on through continous replays of her songs on radio, tv and movies as a soundtrack to an era that we sometimes long to live in because the music was and still is wonderful. Another legacy that continues to live from Minnie is her daughter Maya Rudolph, who is a cast member of Saturday Night Live and comedienne. It was like yesterday when I read in a issue of Jet Magazine that Minnie Riperton died of cancer, and it really sent me back in shock and disbelef. I was 8 years old at the time of her death and I wondered then as I still do now of what would've been had she still been alive today. I'm absolutely sure that she would still be making great music that makes us laugh and cry and reflect on our lives as human beings, while basking in the joy and pride that she had on an successful career in music while at the same time being overly happy and proud that her daughter is somewhat following her footsteps as a performer, but in another realm through comedy. But unfortunately, it was never meant to be. Instead us folks are reflecting on the life and legacy of one of the greatest soul singers that ever lived with her unique five-octave voice and angelic demeanor that we have so long continue to love and appreciate her even more now than ever. Peace and love 2-1 and all. RECOMMENDED LISTENING: ALBUMS (STUDIO RELEASES/COMPILATIONS) PERFECT ANGEL (1974) ADVENTURES IN PARADISE (1975) STAY IN LOVE (1977) MINNIE (1979) CAPITOL GOLD: THE BEST OF MINNIE RIPERTON (1991) THE BEST OF MINNIE RIPERTON AND ROTARY CONNECTION (1996) PETALS: THE MINNIE RIPERTON ANTHOLOGY (1998) SINGLES: AMEN W/ROTARY CONNECTION (1968) LOVIN' YOU (1974) CAN YOU FEEL WHAT I'M SAYING? (1977) MEMORY LANE (1978) | ||
Kev-Lo (7273747576) 4-Laureate Username: 7273747576 Post Number: 135 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 4.236.87.65 |
Hi this is Kev-Lo yes Minnie Riperton was indeed a great singer and had great talent.she is still missed by a lot of us.Loving You was one of my favorites by her | ||
Ron Murphy (ron_murphy) 4-Laureate Username: ron_murphy Post Number: 88 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.42.90.140 |
thanks bigdaddyg for the nice post on Minnie...she was a beauiful person as well as a outstanding singer. my favorite is the entire Janus album..great songs and production and her voice is like another instrument playing..sweet. | ||
RoseyK. (roseyk) 1-Arriviste Username: roseyk Post Number: 9 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.139 |
Minnie Riperton was absolutely one of the greatest singers of all time. Her voice was simply incredible. If you haven't seen this beautiful tribute site to her, take a look. http://www.minnieriperton.com | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 645 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 172.174.153.66 |
Come to my garden introduced me to Minnie and it is still one of my faves. Kudos to Charles Stepney for his beautiful arrangements. | ||
Helene (helene) 3-Pundit Username: helene Post Number: 52 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.32.166.37 |
I, too, really loved "Loving you". Although I tried to hit those high notes along with her, I never quite made it. Her voice was superb. Thank you for this post bigdaddyg2k4. I wish you a very happy birthday.  | ||
GO_GET_GONE_GIRL (gogogirl) 4-Laureate Username: gogogirl Post Number: 152 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 69.1.9.65 |
Hey All, When Ms. Minnie died - is when I learned how a person's death - whom we all knew thru the music she made - could have such a profound effect on everyone. There really was a pall over my community when we all heard. We were touched and saddened - indeed. And somehow we knew then - that Minnie and her music legacy would live on. We were too thru when we heard the news. May Minnie Riperton continue to snuggle under God's bosom. Needless to say - her music was sweet and pure - and she was "Right on Time." | ||
glencro (glencro) 3-Pundit Username: glencro Post Number: 31 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Awesome tribute Bigdaddyg2k4...Happy b'day man | ||
bigdaddyg2k4 (bigdaddyg2k4) 3-Pundit Username: bigdaddyg2k4 Post Number: 45 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 63.102.169.90 |
Thanx 2 all who responded and I appreciate the b'day greetings too. Everyone of you are wonderful. She may be gone (as a human being) forever, but her legacy and her music will outlast each and every one of us as future generations will get to listen to one of the greatest soul singers that ever lived. It is truly a pleasure to hear what a true angel sounds like. | ||
Destruction (destruction) 4-Laureate Username: destruction Post Number: 149 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 199.173.225.21 |
Nice BigDaddy, I never knew that Memory Lane was released so close to her passing. | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 5-Doyen Username: ladymystique Post Number: 381 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 216.37.254.25 |
I was young when she passed, but remember hearing her music alot. | ||
MoMotown (momotown) 2-Debutant Username: momotown Post Number: 25 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 216.249.83.133 |
I cannot believe it has been that long since Minnie Ripperton passed away. I remember what a courageous woman she was when she performed songs from her Memory Lane album on Soul Train for the last time. It was so hard knowing she was terminally ill. I'm listening to her beautiful voice right now. |
