Jango Song Of The Day-Minnie Riperton

Artist:Minnie Riperton
Song:Lovin' You
Album:Petals: The Minnie Riperton Collection




The 1974 #1 hit Lovin' You was Minnie Riperton's one really big hit. And she died tragically at age 31 so sadly we'll never get to see what else she could do. She was born Nov. 8, 1947 in Chicago and started out as a dancer. She also trained in opera. At age 15 she joined the girl group The Gems. They never had much success recording but did a lot of backup vocals at Chess. Minnie also recorded as Andrea Davis. In 1968 Marshall Chess created a group called Rotary Connection. It was supposed to be a psychedelic soul group but was unsuccessful. Minnie was lead singer and it was here that she met husband Richard Rudolph and producer Charles Stepney (Earth, Wind & Fire). Stepney produced her solo debut Come To My Garden in 1970 on GRT Records. It didn't sell so Minnie & Richard moved to Florida to start a family. Then they moved to Los Angeles and she joined Stevie Wonder as a backup singer. Don Ellis signed her to Epic Records. Though his name isn't on the record, Wonder produced the 1974 album Perfect Angel. The album started to sell and Rudolph convinced Ellis to release Lovin' You as a single. Minnie's ethereal vocals captivated listeners and it was a #1 pop hit. Minnie moved to Capitol in 1978 but she had a mastectomy to combat breast cancer. But she got worse and died July 12, 1979 at age 31. Her husband and Stevie Wonder were at her bedside. This 2CD comp from The Right Stuff covers her entire career including her recordings as Andrea Davis. Minnie Riperton's legacy continues through her daughter Maya Rudolph of Saturday Night Live. Here's Minnie Riperton performing Lovin' You on The Midnight Special 1975. You may want to have a tissue handy.