Back Down Memory Lane with Minnie Riperton

[Tonya Anderson]

PLEASE CLICK THE VIDEO BUTTON TO START THE MUSIC


Minnie Riperton was born November 8, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, to Daniel and Thelma Riperton. At a young age, Riperton, the youngest of eight children, began taking dancing and ballet. As a youth she studied music, drama and dance at Chicago’s Lincoln Center, and which also included a career in opera.

Once she reached high school, she began singing in the Hyde Park A Capella Choir. From there, she signed her first professional contract (age 16) and began singing with an all-girl group named The Gems on the Chess label. After breaking from The Gems, Riperton made a complete switch; she joined the psychedelic rock group The Rotary Connection in 1967 and was installed as the lead singer in 1968.

During her time with The Rotary Connection, Riperton met songwriter and producer Richard Rudolph. They married in 1969 and had a son, Marc. Together, Rudolph and Riperton worked on Riperton's first solo album, 1969's Come to My Garden, which met with only minimal success. Riperton rejoined The Rotary Connection for their last album, 1971's Hey Love. After finishing work with them, Riperton relocated to Gainesville, Florida, where she gave birth to her daughter Maya Rudolph. Eventually, she moved to Los Angeles to become a member of Stevie Wonder's backing group, Wonderlove.

After touring with Wonder, she returned to the studio to work on her second solo album, Perfect Angel. Because of her work with Stevie Wonder, he agreed to help produce Perfect Angel, which contained the international pop hit "Lovin' You". "Lovin' You", as the story is told, was originally supposed to be a lullaby for her then two-year-old daughter, Maya.

The year 1974 proved to be big for Riperton, as her album Perfect Angel was certified gold by the RIAA. In 1975, she returned to the studio to produce 1975's Adventures in Paradise, and although it didn't mirror the success of Perfect Angel, it was popular with R&B audiences. The album contained the song "Inside My Love", which has now become a classic with younger audiences.

In 1976, while working on her fourth solo album, Stay In Love: A Romantic Fantasy Set to Music, Riperton found that she was suffering from breast cancer. The following year, President Jimmy Carter presented her with the American Cancer Society's Courage Award, and she later became the chairwoman. In 1978 Riperton signed a new contract with Capitol Records and began work on her last album, titled Minnie. The album contained the hits "Memory Lane" and "Lover and Friend". Her health continued to decline in 1979, and eventually she lost her battle with cancer and passed away on July 12, 1979. A year after her death, Capitol released a posthumous album, Love Lives Forever, featuring her recorded vocals with various singers such as Peabo Bryson, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. Today, Riperton's influence can be heard in the voices of Mariah Carey, Chanté Moore, and Christina Aguilera. Her son, Marc Rudolph, is a music engineer. Her daughter, Maya Rudolph, is a regular cast member on "Saturday Night Live" (1975).

[MsMerising]

Great timing with the Minnie Riperton 'Unsung' tribute.

I just finished interviewing one of Minnie's old bandmates for a series I am writing on the making of her albums. Some magical quotes. I'll let you know when the articles are ready (but be patient - it won't be for quite some time :).

[Edie Antoinette]

This sounds intriguing. are you by chance the same MsMerising that is affiliated with Nikos???

[MsMerising]

Yes, I am! I wrote the reviews for the artists Sylvia St. James & Sylvia Striplin at www.funkmysoul.gr :)

[Edie Antoinette]

Oh my goodness! I've read your reviews! *edie just fainted* LOL

[MsMerising]

You're silly :P Excuse me, I've been off the radar for the last 18 months so I didn't reply. Family issues made me (reluctlantly) pack up life in Los Angeles and head to Australia for several years. Am terribly homesick and am only now beginning to get some time to myself outside of my responsibilities to get back into some reviews/interviews etc Hope all has been well with you :)

 

M

x

 

[Edie Antoinette]

Very nice! I did a nice blog on our dear Minnie at 360 and had forgotten to bring it over. You stirred my memory for which I'm grateful. I'll put it up as a complement of your's. Thanks again!

[Tonya Anderson]

Thanks for helping me. I really enjoy reading your discussion pages, and they are set up much more professional than mines LOL!. I love her music. Can you do a blog on Shirley Horn? Im not familiar with her. Thanks.

[Edie Antoinette]

I already did a blog on Shirley Horn. You can find it in the Jazz Lounge.

http://msoldschool.ning.com/group/jazzcuffs/forum/topics/jazz-divas...

The Minnie Riperton is here in the Discussions:

http://msoldschool.ning.com/group/thephyllishymangroup/forum/topics...

~E

ps: hush that talk about mine are so much mor professional! Your's are wonderful. We're a team and I'm loving everything everybody offers...shooot! LOL Love You!

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Minnie is truly missed...What a beautiful voice she had.

[Edie Antoinette]

Yes indeed Sole...yes indeed. :(