RIP Did you know ..... Gone Too Soon!

This is part II of my "Truly Unsung" tribute about entertainers whose lives were interrupted and transitioned on to their next plateau with little to no fanfare of their exit from earth ....

Born July 9 - 1050 singer Gwen Guthrie (pictured above) is best known for her hit, "Ain't Nothing Going On But The Rent," in 1986. Guthrie started her career by moonlighting as a singer of commercial jingles, sometimes with her friend Valerie Simpson (of Ashford & Simpson fame). A songwriting partnership with Patrick Grant resulted in Ben E. King's comeback single, "Supernatural Thing," and "This Time I'll Be Sweeter," covered by numerous artists. She was also the writer of Roberta Flack's "God Don't Like Ugly," and she contributed to the Sister Sledge album, "Circle Of Love." Miss Guthrie died of uterine cancer on February 3, 1999 at the age of 48.

Born March 14 - 1976 actor Marlin Santana, of North Hollywood, was shot in the head and killed as he and a friend were in a car leaving another man's home in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles on Nov. 9, 2002. The Steve Harvey Show actor was only 26 years old.

Born  July 23 - 1954 singer Renee Diggs-Phillips (pictured above) former lead singer of the group Starpoint, died at age of 50. She died on 18th march due to complications with her disease Multiple Sclerosis.  Renee met Ernesto Phillips (who died Thursday, April 1, 2004) and his brothers in the early stages of their musical careers. Starpoint were signed to the Polygram imprint, Casablanca / Chocolate City Records in 1980. On that label they recorded four albums.
During the 'Restless' tour, in 1985, Renee was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. After this diagnoses Renee recorded three more outings with Starpoint under bad health conditions. After five years, in 1990, Renee decided to go solo. The U.K. based record company Expansion acquired the rights to the subsequent 1994 recording and released 'Oasis' in late 2000. Renee formed the Renee Diggs Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis.

Born April 17 - 1956 Valorie Jones of  the Singing trio "The Jones Girls," (pictured above) were sisters who sung background for Diana Ross. They rose to fame after Ross got them a record deal to go out on their own. Their hits included, "You're Going To Make Me Love Somebody Else," and "Dance Turned Into Romance." Sadly, member Valorie Jones, 45, died in 2001, cause of death is unknown.

Born on  June 12 - 1948 singer Lynn Collins (pictured above) who sung with James Brown and recorded the smash hit "Think" in the early 70's , her voice can easily be heard on Rob Base's monster smash "It Takes Two". died March 13 - 2005 of cardiac arrhythmia, she was 56 years old.  .