Biography of Minnie Riperton

During her tragically shortened career, Minnie Riperton's astonishing six-octave vocal range was displayed in a variety of contexts, most notably her 1975 number one pop hit "Lovin" You." After recording for Chess with the Gems and as Andrea Davis, Riperton was prominently featured within the label's progressive rock experiment, Rotary Connection, from 1967-70, then headed to California. The supremely calming "Lovin" You" spotlighted her limitless high-note capabilities, and she rode the soul charts for Epic and Capitol prior to her death from cancer in 1979. ~ Bill Dahl