Minnie Riperton

Minnie Julia Riperton Rudolph November 8 1947 July 12 1979 was an American singersongwriter best known for her 1975 single Lovin You and her four octave D3 to F7 coloratura soprano range She is also widely known for her use of the whistle register and has been referred to by the media as the Queen of the Whistle Register Born in 1947 Riperton grew up in Chicagos Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side As a child she studied music drama and dance at Chicagos Abraham Lincoln Center In her teen years she sang lead vocals for the Chicagobased girl group the Gems Her early affiliation with the Chicagobased Chess Records afforded her the opportunity to sing backing vocals for various established artists such as Etta James Fontella Bass Ramsey Lewis Bo Diddley Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters While at Chess Riperton also sang lead for the experimental rocksoul group Rotary Connection from 1967 to 1971 On April 5 1975 Riperton reached the apex of her career with her No 1 single Lovin You The single was the last release from her 1974 gold album titled Perfect Angel In January 1976 Riperton was diagnosed with breast cancer and in April she underwent a radical mastectomy By the time of diagnosis the cancer had metastasized and she was given about six months to live Despite the grim prognosis she continued recording and touring She was one of the first celebrities to go public with a breast cancer diagnosis but she did not disclose that she was terminally ill In 1977 she became a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society In 1978 she received the American Cancer Societys Courage Award which was presented to her at the White House by President Jimmy Carter Riperton died of breast cancer on July 12 1979 at the age of 31