This woman has an amazing range and a subtle but powerful voice. I have her greatest hits and I can’t tell you how many times I have listened to her songs.

She is originally from Chicago born in 1947 one of eight children. She studied classical music and trained to become an opera singer developing her 5 octave range. Her career began early with the legendary Chess Records. *side note* Beyonce is set to star as Etta James in an upcoming film about Chess Records. At Chess Records, Minnie was a background singer for Etta James, Bo Diddley and others. She sometimes recorded under the alias Andrea Davis.

Minnie penned Loving You with husband and composer Richard Rudolph in 1975. This song made Minnie an international star.

Unfortunately, Minnie died of breast cancer in 1979, after a hard fought battle. She was actually the first African American spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society and the first AA to receive the Society’s Courage Award from President Jimmy Carter.

A bit o’ trivia, she is the mother of comedienne Maya Rudolph of Saturday Night Live fame.

P.S.

Peep the ‘fro. Loves it!