Sharon Redd (October 19, 1945 – May 1, 1992) – You Got My Love (1980)
The dancefloor masterpiece opening cut from the debut LP by Prelude's biggest star was later remixed by François Kevorkian for a special 12" single.
Watch full video on YouTube.
Sharon Redd was a very talented singer who rose to fame as one of Bette Midler’s backing vocalists before going solo and becoming Prelude Records’ biggest star.
Born in Norfolk, Virginia to a musical family, Redd’s brother Gene Redd Jr. became a songwriter and producer for Kool & The Gang, while her half-sister Penny Ford released two solo albums and was briefly a member of Klymaxx and the S.O.S. Band.
From 1969-71, Redd starred in the Australian production of Hair, until she and another Black cast member Teddy Williams were deported in April, 1971 due to what was widely believed to be racism.
Back in the States, she won a role as one of the Harlettes, Bette Midler’s backup singers, beating out 70 other candidates in auditions. After parting ways with Midler a few years later, she and the other two Harlettes (Charlotte Crossley and Ula Hedwig) released an album, Formerly of the Harlettes (1977).
For her self-titled 1980 debut LP on Prelude Records, Willie Lester and Rodney Brown co-wrote and produced the dancefloor masterpiece opening cut “You Got My Love.”
It was later remixed by DJ François Kevorkian for a special 12" remix single, released in 1981, which improved on the already superb album version.
Although “You Got My Love” did not chart, the first single off her debut LP did. “Can You Handle It” went to #5 on dance charts, and was a minor R&B hit, peaking at #57. Redd memorably performed the song on the UK television show Top of the Pops, resulting in a disco moment for the ages.
Her follow up album, Redd Hott (1982) broke through and shot to #1 on the dance LP charts. Several tracks were dancefloor hits, including “Beat The Street,” which went to #41 R&B.
The classic disco jam “Never Give You Up” was the album’s finest cut, and became one of Redd’s signature songs. It was co-written and produced by Darryl Payne and Eric Matthew.
Sadly, her time was cut short far too early at age 46 when she died of complications from AIDS.
Rest in Power to the great Sharon Redd.
#disco #funk Prelude #FrançoisK #SharonRedd