Minnie Riperton, born on November 8, 1947, in Chicago, was the youngest of eight kids and grew up on the city’s South Side. She started her professional career as a backup singer at Chess Records, working with iconic artists like Etta James, Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, and Chuck Berry.
From a young age, Minnie was immersed in music, ballet, and drama at Lincoln Center in Chicago, where she trained to be an opera singer. She studied under Marion Jeffery, focusing on diction, breathing, and phrasing, but as she grew older, she was drawn to soul, R&B, rock, and pop instead of opera.
At just 15, Minnie joined the girl group The Gems. Though the group didn’t find much success, it became a stepping stone in her career. The Gems eventually transformed into a session group called Studio Three, providing backup vocals for artists like Fontella Bass, including her 1965 hit “Rescue Me.” During this time, Riperton also released singles like “Lonely Girl” and “You Gave Me Soul.”
Minnie’s big break came when she became the lead singer for the psychedelic soul band Rotary Connection, with whom she released their debut album in 1967. She recorded five more albums with the group, which helped her build a name in the music world.
In 1970, Riperton released her debut solo album, Come to My Garden, which didn’t initially achieve commercial success but is now considered a classic by critics. She performed selections from the album live at the London House in Chicago in December 1970, a significant moment in her career.
After marrying composer and producer Richard Rudolph in 1969, Riperton took a break to focus on her family. They had two children: music engineer Marc and actress Maya Rudolph (of Saturday Night Live fame). During her time off, Riperton worked with Stevie Wonder as part of his backing band, Wonderlove.
Her 1974 album Perfect Angel (co-produced by Stevie Wonder and Richard Rudolph) marked a huge milestone in her career. The album included her biggest hit, “Lovin’ You,” which she co-wrote. The song topped the Billboard pop chart in 1975 and became a beloved classic. Minnie’s incredible vocal range, particularly her ability to sing in the whistle register, influenced many artists, including Mariah Carey.
Sadly, in 1976, Riperton was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite undergoing a mastectomy, she continued to perform and even became a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society. She was awarded the Courage Award by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.
Minnie Riperton passed away on July 12, 1979, at the age of 31, with her husband by her side. Her epitaph, “Lovin’ you is easy ‘cause you’re beautiful,” perfectly captures the essence of her music and legacy.
