Its ALL about the AFRO - Singer, Songwriter Minnie Riperton had a 5 1/2 Octave range and could whistle with the Gods. She's best known for her 1975 number 1 hit 'Lovin You' written by Stevie Wonder. Her song 'Inside My Love' has been covered by 'Chante' Moore' and 'Trina Broussard'. She along with Deniece Williams created pathways for the likes of Cheryl Lynn, Moore, Rachelle Ferrell and Mariah Carey for their dynamic ability of incorporating whistling into the upper register of their vocal abilities. Actress Maya Rudolph of SNL fame is Rioerton's daughter, and her best friend was actress Pam Grier. The two would often attend Minnie's son Marc's baseball games together.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1976, Riperton released her last album entitled 'Minnie' in the summer of 1979, featuring the hit 'Memory Lane' some of the lyrics seemed very autobiographical 'Save Me Save Me Save Me, I Don't Want To Go, I thought It was Over' as if she knew this would be her last offering to the world. Minnie appeared on the Merv Griffith show on July 6th-1979, three days later on July 9th she passed away in her husband Richard Ruldolph's arms.
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