This is Minnie Riperton. She was taken from us way too soon, dying of breast cancer in her early 30's. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1976, less than a year after this single was released. She was given only months to live.
Despite that diagnosis, she continued to tour and record music, up until her death in 1979. She did not tell the public she was terminally ill.
But let's talk about this absolute masterpiece of a song. Written by Riperton and her husband, Richard Rudolph, The range she exhibits here is incredible, hanging out significantly in the whistle register. It's a classic song that is remembered well, nearly 50 years after its release.
It would be Riperton's biggest hit, reaching the top of the charts worldwide, and it remains in the culture to this day.
Also, she sings her kid's names in her songs. In this one, she ends with the name of her daughter, Maya - who is pretty well known in her own right. This song's melody was actually written to distract a baby Maya Rudolph, and that was a mom singing to her daughter to get her to settle down.
This is the last known performance of this song, in 1979, just weeks before her death. Her voice certainly didn't suffer. Her right arm was paralyzed from complications to the cancer, but you won't notice that. You'll just notice that exquisite voice. And the addition of her son's name at the end.
No comments:
Post a Comment