Minnie Riperton
Biography
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, she scored her greatest commercial success with the chart-topping pop ballad "Lovin' You." 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 also signed with the label as a solo act, releasing a single, "Lonely Girl," under the alias Andrea Davis.
In 1968, Riperton was installed as the lead vocalist of the psychedelic soul band the Rotary Connection, which debuted that year with a self-titled LP on Cadet Concepts; the singles "Amen" and "Lady Jane" found a home on underground FM radio, but the group failed to make much of an impression on mainstream outlets. While still a member of the Connection, Riperton mounted a solo career; teaming with producer/arranger Charles Stepney and her husband/composer Richard Rudolph, she issued her brilliant debut, Come to My Garden, in 1970, but again commercial success eluded her grasp. After the Rotary Connection dissolved in the wake of 1971's Hey Love, she and Rudolph took a two-year sabbatical in Florida before relocating to Los Angeles, where she sang on Stevie Wonder's Fulfillingness' First Finale and toured as a member of his backing unit Wonderlove.
Wonder agreed to co-produce Riperton's 1974 album Perfect Angel, which contained the international blockbuster "Lovin' You"; the record made her a household name, although 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 Riperton's 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. Riperton 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. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
I really did not know how wonderful she was. The unsung documentary made me love her for her talent even more. Her music is as fresh today as it was when I first heard it in high school 1974
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She's the voice of childhood for a lot of people..I appreciate my mother for bringing such amazing music into my life. Even now, her music evokes such wonderful feelings for me. Minnie's voice has been often imitated, but never duplicated. She made REAL music.
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Her voice reminds me of my childhood as well. She was the one and only, and the production on her songs are timeless. One of the reasons I keep a record player is to play my classic Minnie albums and soak in a few nostalgic hours of GREAT, not good, music, especially Adventures in Paradise!
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I love Minnie. I believe that was the greastest female artist of all time. There isn't a person now a days that can even try to compare to her vocals. I mean don't get me wrong there a some good one but they aren't Minnie.
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Her voice is a reminder of my childhood. She left great memories for me! xoxo Of course, Loving You, is my favorite song by her but I need to explore ALL of her work which I know I don't know. Her vocal range though is what continues to amaze me. She knew how to control her voice.
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I was very impress with Minnie when I discover that she was the singing voice of the ivory commerical when I was a young teenager listening to her perform the jungle live on Donahue years ago I will never forget telling my mother that she had a voice of a angel.That was the back down memory lane and no one in this life time will ever be able to duplicate such a wonderful voice.Minnie is unforgetable .
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She is magnificent. Her Adventues in Paradise album is one of my all time favorites!
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My god "I am the black gold of the sun" is one of my favorite songs of all time. Minnie and Rotary Connection were the best. Shame theres not more of it on Pandora
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we lost the voice of an angel but her music lives forever...Ta n e s h a , Gardena
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till this day that wonderful voice hasn't been replaced but luckily we have your wonderful music to keep us smiling.
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One of my altime childhood favorites! From the eight track days of the 1970's to the new millenium 2000's, Minnie is one of the baddest, purest, vocalists of all times! KEEP IT REAL! She keeps me goin' "Back Down Memory Lane"!
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HEY! Where's Minnie's 'Adventures in Paradise' album in here anthology credits??!
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"Inside My Love" is one of my favorite songs OF ALL TIME- a statement not to be taken lightly....t h e beautiful Minnie Riperton lives forever..... .
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HELLO
PLEASE PLAY THE SONG FROM MINNIE RIPERTON LOVING YOU ITS ON A ALBLUM WITH A LOIN ON IT. |
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I remember listening to her w/my mom and sister as we were going up. Although I was 17yrs.old when she passed. I have always loved her unique style and her beautiful voice. Her music is still here with us all & will always continue to be.
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Listening to her bring back so many memories of my mom and her friends hanging out and just chillin' with Minnie playing in the background. We still have the album! Later as an adult myself I grew to really appreciate her music as well. Losing her was a great loss, but thankfully she left this beautiful music.
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Another singularly phenomenal singer who combined boundless talent, electrifying sensuality, sexuality, and versatility. She died far too young but her music will continually live on. Listening to Minnie Riperton is pure pleasure at its finest.
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I am now in my early 40's and I can recall first introduction to Minnie Riperton music when i was 7 or 8 and I still love to hear her voice. It's electrafying , suductive, sexy, inviting, innocent...I just love her music. She has a style of her own.
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I don't remember the 1 with the lion on it but I love her sound soo much. And it take me back down memory lane for real!!!!!!!! ! ! ! !
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Please play mostly minnie riperton,deb a r g e , s w i c t h , l i n d a lewis,denice williams,ada r i n d a evans.
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I really love her music. I wish that you would/could play all of her music.
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there is none like her, some have tried but they just don't make it the her range of vocals at all. Her voice is as beautiful as her ressurection will be. I plan to hunt her down on the new earth, soon to be here..
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I love her and will always remember how her voice sends chills up my spine!
She has the voice of an Angel and now is one. RIP! Love you much and thank you for the wonderful melodies in song! |
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I was 19 when Minnie died yet I remember her most memorable songs to this day. Her five-octave voice is stunning and unlike anything we will ever hear again.
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I found out Stevie Wonder did some writing for her however she made the song her own..I guess Jill Scott and other soulfull artists of today kinda of mimic her..How can any man say they don't like black woman after listening to this Diamond?
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I was 2 years old when she died. I always heard people talk about her as a great black artist but I didn't hear any songs from here except Loving You and Memory Lane which embarrisingl y I didn't know was her, Now that I have finally gotten to listen to her music, she is my favorite singer, next is Chaka Khan, Her voice is like a breath of fresh air, seductive and takes you up in the clouds and I love the words to the songs, so deeply describes life, love and romance..
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Hands down, she was one of the most distinctive, creative voices of all time regardless of race or genre of music
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Now singing with the angels. Minnie Riperton lives on in our hearts. Awesome lady, with sooooooooooo o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o much talent.
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minnie riperton has been in my heart since i was very young i know she is my guardian angel
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MINNIE IS A BRILLIANT LIGHT TO THIS WORLD. I LIGHT THAT WENT OUT MUCH MUCH TO SOON...... MY SCORPIO SISTER...... . . . .
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WHAT A LOST TO ME I WAS 15 YEARS OLD THAN PREGNANT WITH MY FIRST CHILD MISSING YOU GIRL MY CHILD IS 28 YEARS OLD NOW AND I STILL LOVE YOU
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