Post by Journey2herpast on Oct 22, 2005 22:41:50 GMT -5
Minnie Riperton was born in Chicago on November 8, 1947. As a youth she studied music, drama and dance at Chicago’s Lincoln Center, and which also included a career in opera.
Minnie’s pop music career began in 1961 when she joined a local girl’s group called “THE GEMS”. The group soon garnered a recording deal with the famed record label called, “Chess Records”. They released a handful of singles, and also managed to lend their backing vocals to other such notable Chess Records acts, which included FONTELLA BASS, THE DELLS and ETTA JAMES.
After Minnie finished high school she found a job working as a receptionist for Chess Records. Since “THE GEMS” had officially dissolved she soon found herself signed to the label as a solo act where she released the single, entitled, "Lonely Girl," under the alias of Andrea Davis.
In 1968, Minnie became the lead vocalist for the psychedelic soul band known as “THE ROTARY CONNECTION”. “THE ROTARY CONNECTION” debuted that year with a self-titled LP on Cadet Concepts. A couple of singles from the album entitled, "Amen" and "Lady Jane" found a home on underground FM radio.
Minnie decided to mount a solo career, where she found herself teamed with producer/arranger CHARLES STEPNEY (one of the founding members of the group EARTH, WIND & FIRE), and her husband/composer Richard Rudolph.
In 1970, Minnie issued her first brilliant debut album entitled, “Come to My Garden”, but again commercial success eluded her.
In 1971 after “THE ROTARY CONNECTION” released the album entitled, “HEY LOVE” the group dissolved. After a two-year sabbatical in Florida, Minnie and Rudolph decided that they would relocate to Los Angeles. Minnie found work with the legendary Stevie Wonder, who afforded her the opportunity to sing on his “Fulfillingness' First Finale”. She then toured as a member of his back-up group called, “WONDERLOVE”.
In 1974, Stevie Wonder agreed to co-produce Minnie Riperton's album entitled, “ Perfect Angel”. The album contained the international hit single, entitled, “Lovin' You”. With This album, Minnie found the success, which had eluded her. And she also became to realize that she had in fact become a household name in the process.
In 1975, Minnie released the album entitled, “Adventures in Paradise”.