 |
| Sharon Redd |
| Born: 10-19-1945 Died: 5-1-1992 from A.I.D.S. at the age of 46. |
| Vocalist Sharon Redd has an extensive entertainment pedigree. Her father worked at King Records, her stepfather played in Benny Goodman's band, her brother was a writer/producer for Kool & the Gang and BMP, and her sister (Pennye Ford) is also a professional singer. Sharon took classical voice lessons as a child in Norfolk, Virginia, and later had the lead role in the Australian version of "Hair" as well as her own television special. Sharon went to London in the mid-'70s while appearing in an American production of "The Wedding Of Iphigenia." After returning to America, she got widespread recognition for being a "Shaffer Beer Girl" and used the exposure to land a job as a background vocalist for Bette Midler. Once she became one of Bette's infamous "Harlettes" her career took off. Spending several years on the road with Bette Midler she can be seen (and heard) on "Live At Last" and "Divine Madness" among others. "The Harlettes" became so popular on Bette's tours that they eventually recorded their own album for Columbia Records which spawned the 12" single "Can't Dance (Dance, Dance, Dance)," a minor club hit. She also did background vocals on Norman Connors' "You Are My Starship." Her most famous recording prior to her solo releases in the 1980's was a non-credited lead vocal on the club smash "Love Insurance" by Front Page in 1979. Based on the strength of that single she was offered a contract with the small Prelude Records label. Her debut release "Sharon Redd" in 1980 spawned the huge club hit "Can You Handle It." |
 |
| Her 1982 sophmore release featured the even bigger hits "Never Give You Up," "Beat The Street," and thanks to a Hot Tracks remix "In The Name Of Love." "Redd Hot" produced by Eric Matthews and Willie Payne remains her biggest selling album to date. It was during the touring of this album that I had the chance to catch her performance here in Chicago. The years with Midler had given her a stage presence not usually found in most disco artists performances. Later at a party (in her honor) I witnessed her warmth and wit and let me tell you Sharon was a party girl! She had so much fun in Chicago that a two day appearance turned into a 7 day visit. |
 |
 |
| Her third and final release, 1983's "Love How You Feel," once again missed the radio mark but shot up the club charts. 12" singles of the title track and "You're A Winner" once again became instant club classics. Then as musical club tastes shifted in the mid-80's she dropped from site. A 1989 "Best Of" was thrown together to capture additional sales but her glory days were essentially over. She returned in 1991 with a new single, "All The Way To Love," but this was to be her last. With the exception of reissued remixes of her earlier hits, most notably DNA's reworking of "Can You Handle It." |
| Like many of the nightlife people during disco's heyday Sharon contracted the dreaded H.I.V. virus, though speculation was on drug use, my guess is it was unprotected sex. Sadly Sharon past on due to complications from A.I.D.S. in 1994. She left behind a marvelous legacy of dance tracks and will be missed forever. |
 |