IN LOVING MEMORY
Sharon Redd
October 19, 1945 - January 5, 1992
Sharon Redd was one of Dance Musics' best artists & I miss her voice tremendously. It's hard to believe that her voice, which was so light-hearted & full of energy, has been stilled for nearly 13 years now.
When Sharon first burst on the Dance scene with her eponymously titled smash debut LP in 1980, most people believed that she was the new kid on the block. Sharon was far from that & nothing was further from the truth. She had an extensive & distinguished pedigree, that most were unaware of at the time.
As for myself, I first became aware of Sharon's voice with 1978's "Formerly Of The Harlettes" LP. I knew that she was formerly a back-up singer with Bette Midler. However, in those Disco days, I was not very familiar, nor especially fond of Bette's style of music. Though the LP as a whole didn't bowl me over (again, the LP was released during the height of Disco), there was one song that totally knocked me out.
The song was a re-make of Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers, "Does Your Momma Know About Me". The original is a classic in its own right. With all due respect, Sharon simply STOLE that song & made it her own. Sharon's performance absolutely transcended that song. There was something special about the tone & shading of her voice. Her performance was masterful & she sang that song with conviction. With the voices of Charlotte & Ula added to the mix, theirs is simply the definitive version. No one has done it any better, neither before nor, since.
It was right there & then, I fell in love with the voice of Ms. Sharon Redd. In my humble opinion, it is simply one of the best performances of a ballad ever. Some 27 years later, that song STILL brings back memories of being 17 & in the throes of first love. In that spirit, I'd like to take a moment to reflect back on her beginnings....
The Makings Of A Star
Sharon Redd was born in Norfolk, Va on October 19th, 1945. Sharon came to music honestly, I guess that one could say that it was in her blood. Her father Gene Redd was best known as a producer & Musical Director for King Records in the 50's, overseeing James Brown's epic, "Please, Please, Please" in 1956. He was the owner of both Red Coach Records & De-Lite Records. The latter for whom he signed & produced Kool & The Gang. He was also co-writer of "I Got That Feelin'", for the "Darrell Banks Is Here" LP.
Her mother, Carolyn Ford was also a singer of some note. Her sister, Pennye Ford, is an excellent singer in her own right, with solo Dance classics such as "Dangerous", "Change Your Wicked Ways", in addition to having sung with Zapp (1979), Klymaxx (1986), The S.O.S. Band (1987) & Snap! (1990) & was the co-writer of the massive hit, "The Power.
Sharon first gained notice in the stageplay of "Hair". She went to the land 'Down Under" & starred in an Austrailian production of the play. Her stint in "Hair" lasted from 1969 - 1971. She played the roles of The Magician, a member of The Tribe & one of The Supremes. These pictures appeared in Life Magazine in April, 1970. If you're lucky, you can find a copy on ebay. She was featured singing "White Boys", as one of The Supremes, as well as a solo spot, singing "Easy To Be Hard".
In 1969, she recorded one side of a single, "Easy To Be Hard", a song from the Austrailian Hair Soundtrack. This single reached # 32 in Australia in 1969. She made an appearance on "Barry Crocker's Sound Of Music" program on May 12, 1969.
She also recorded one side of a single for the Amoco Label titled, "Where The Mind Can Breathe". This single was used for radio & TV commercials, to promote Amoco Gas. It was credited to Sharon Redd & Groove Myers. This spot received a lot of play in Australia in the early 70s. Her performance eventually led to her own TV special.
Upon her return to the United States, she performed in plays, among them, a role in T-Jean & His Brothers. Sharon was the winner of the first Schaefer Beer Talent Hunt" & became known as the "Schaefer Beer Girl" & her face became well known here in the states for her many commercial appearances.
Next: The Harlette Years (1973-1978)
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