Voice of the angel touched people's heart gently
London
We visited the female vocalist who had established so-called "lover's rock" with the cover of this song
Janet Kay
Beyond times, beyond countries, this song has attracted men and women
Queen of jazz vocal, 4 times Grammy winner
Ken Hirai (Japan)
Take a look at the message at the back of the album jacket
Who is "a very special fan" that praised her so much and delivered this special message with full of love?
Chicago, "Windy City"
Chicago
Known for the city of the gang in old days. During WWI, many black people moved over to seek for work, which formed the large black community here.
Minnie was born in 1947, in the south side of Chicago, black community area
Dad was a railroad worker. Mom loved music
Minnie had dance lesson, voice trainning, from childhood days
Richard Rudolph, the songwriter of "Lovin' You" also Minnie's husband, talked about Minnie
Black people moved from the south to Chicago created their culture, "Chicago Blues"
Blues became the pride of the town
Chess records, stablished in 1950, made Chicago Blues spread across the world
Chess Records
Minnie worked for Chess records as a receptionist since her teens, also worked as a recording back vocalist for Ramsey Lewis, Fontella Bass and Etta James, etc
Minnie became recognized as a vocalist and made debut as a member of the female vocal group "The Gems" in 1963
Music scene in early 60's had very popular girl groups like The Supremes, The Shirelles
The Gems released 7 records, but not big hit. Minnie left the group
Then, psychedelic movement hit the music scene
Chess Records  introduced a progressive band, "Rotary Connection"
Minnie joined as a lead singer
Since they were so ahead of times, had no big hit
But this band broaden Minnie's music experience
Around that time, Minnie met a man, Richard Rudolph
Minnie and Richard married
Minnie released an album as a solo artist in 1970
Couple of black woman and caucasian man was not well recognized at that time
They left Chicago, and moved to Florida, where it's much more free with warm weather
They raised the children in the new place, also felt free to create their own music as much as they want
That's where "Lovin' You" was basked
Gently melody was born, embracing their life of full of love
Minnie released the new album from Epic Records
Stevie Wonder greatly supported Minnie as a producer of this album
Stevie was a big fan of Minnie since Rotary Connection days
Stevie played many instruments under the name of El Toro Negro, and also wrote songs
Two engineers  joined with Stevie, who utilized the innovative new instrument then synthesizer and worked for Stevie
Malcolm Ceal and Robert Margouleff
Robert Margouleff
They also supported Stevie's golden age masterpiece albums
Minnie joined here as chorus
Recording was done at Record Plant Studio B, located at this place then
There was plenty of time and place for creating great music
Stevie wrote a song for Minnie
The tittle was "Perfect Angel"
During recording "Lovin' You" was a special song to them and they stuck to perfection
To get reminded with their original feeling, they listened to the early demo tape, which was created for the kids
Then they noticed
Stevie, a perfectionist, wanted real birds. Stevie, Minnie and Richard went to UCLA Botanical Garden to record the birds
Vocal by Minnie, guitar by Richard, Fender Rhodes, piano by Stevie, and the birds
Everything harmonized simple and beautiful. That was the birth of the song
Album "Perfect Angel" was released in August 1974
Minnie wished "Lovin' You" to be a single
Lovin' You skyrocked the US chart and became Billboard #1
Minnie's beautiful vocal attracted nationwide US
After big hit "Lovin' You," she soon released the next album
Stewart Lavine worked as the producer, who worked for the Crusaders
In 1976 she was diagnosed as malignant tumor in her breast
Breast cancer
Minnie made public about her cancer
and continued to be surprising positive
She became a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society
She spent so much time and energy for the society
She also continued to be very active with music
She used to talk on stage like this
In 1979, she releases the album "MINNIE"
But cancer relapsed
She continued recording while in and out of the hospital
This song was written while talking over the old memory with old pictures
And released as a single and went up through Soul charts
Flame of her life was fading
Tight bond through the music
Minnie became the angel in July 1979
Later, her music friends who admire her got together and overdubbed with her recording, and created an album
Tender vocal like an angel that appeals to everyone's heart. Minnie Riperton - Lovin' You
