[REMOVE ADS]




Results 1 to 29 of 29
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    2,126
    Rep Power
    201

    Joni Sledge Dies @ 60

    From the NY Times:
    By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSMARCH 11, 2017, 7:57 P.M. E.S.T.
    Continue reading the main storyShare This Page
    Share
    Tweet
    Email
    More
    Save
    NEW YORK — Joni Sledge, who with her sisters recorded the defining dance anthem "We Are Family," has died, the band's representative says.

    She was 60.

    Sledge was found dead in her home by a friend in Phoenix, Arizona, on Friday, the band's publicist, Biff Warren, said Saturday. A cause of death has not been determined.

    "On yesterday, numbness fell upon our family. We welcome your prayers as we weep the loss of our sister, mother, aunt, niece and cousin," read a family statement.

    Sledge and her sisters Debbie, Kim and Kathy formed the Sister Sledge in 1971, but had their breakout success in 1979 with "We Are Family." The dance song became an anthem of unity and women empowerment.

    Sledge is survived by an adult son besides her sisters and other relatives.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    43,221
    Rep Power
    600
    That is so sad. I loved Sister Sledge from beginning to end, the ups and their downs. Rest in peace Joni......you did good!


    Marv

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    43,221
    Rep Power
    600

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    44,434
    Rep Power
    897
    My partner just broke the news to me. So sad. May she rest in power.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Posts
    6,823
    Rep Power
    256
    Oh, so very sad. I love Sister Sledge. "We Are Family" is one of my all-time favourite songs!

    RIP Joni Sledge

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    2,771
    Rep Power
    312
    So sad! I know we are all getting older but for some reason I have never been able to picture Sister Sledge as being anything but the sweet young girls they were back then.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Posts
    179
    Rep Power
    95
    RIP Joni. You left us far too early.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    43,221
    Rep Power
    600
    Here is my favorite cut with Joni on lead:


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    43,221
    Rep Power
    600

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    18,198
    Rep Power
    389
    That knocked me for six. She was so young.

    RIP Joni Sledge

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    1,523
    Rep Power
    191
    What sad news and a shock to wake up to at 6am this morning, so completely sad, my heart & condolences go out to her family.

    Rest in Peace Joni Sledge.

  12. #12
    Hearing We are Family on Radio 4 this morning I said you died. I put the TV on then I read that Joni died so sad.

    The first time I heard Sister Sledge was singing Mama never told me. Was a big hit in the UK [[1975)

    Rest in Peace Joni Sledge you will be missed

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    3,190
    Rep Power
    198
    ... sad, sad, sad news one more time!
    Casually, yesterday I was looking this great video by The Spnners featuring Joni Sledge singing "Then Came You" where Joni plays the role of Dionne Warwick [[in her own style, of course). She is so sexy!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4364qEsqBHM

    Rest in Peace, Joni Sledge... sadly, another member of the "Phillysound" family is gone [[they started with Anthony Bell and Bobby Eli as producers - songwriters, "Mama Never Told Me" was and still be a favorite Philly number of mine)

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    913
    Rep Power
    192
    Oh my, what terrible news. Joni, such a beautiful woman and so young.

    Sister Sledge + Chic = Magic.

    Heartbroken that I'll never get to see my childhood crush[[es) perform as a group.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    6,340
    Rep Power
    346
    Terrible sad news but shes home with the Lord now.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    6,060
    Rep Power
    185
    I didn't know Joni as as well as i did Kathy but whenever i did meet her she was courteous and charming and quite beautiful!! In fact i had something of a crush on her. Kathy was my favourite sister but Joni was the sexiest. Rest in peace dear sister.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    10,007
    Rep Power
    305
    Only 60.

    R.I.P.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    4,034
    Rep Power
    0
    Name:  bestlunchever.jpg
Views: 719
Size:  51.1 KB Really heartbroken and saddened by the news. I had the chance to meet her on three occasions and she was friendly and funny each time. That's me standing next to her in the pic.
    When Debbie Sledge posted this photo she captioned it "the best lunch ever" and it really was. Since I was a kid I crushed really hard on the group Sister Sledge. So much so that I can remember in 7th grade myself and a friend arguing over which member was our girlfriend. They were beautiful, obviously talented, poised and well spoken and they made great music. Though the hits were awesome for some reason I always gravitated to the lesser known album cuts. Meeting them was something that I had given up on decades ago even though as a photographer I've met more celebrities than I can remember. In 2014 I was able to meet all four sisters on various occasions and did I get to meet them in a big way. It was in New York City and what I thought would be a photo op turned into something bigger. After a show, myself and a few others were able to hang around and talk with Joni and Debbie Sledge. They were very warm, inviting and very gracious. As if meeting them wasn't enough, they surprised us all with gifts from the world class travel store TUMI [[talk about classy). I received a beautiful wallet and a money clip with the inscription JC.SS. When I thanked Joni for it, she said may it bring blessings and prosperity in every aspect of your life. I thought to myself what nice people and what a great night. As if that wasn't enough, I was informed that we would be having lunch with Joni and Debbie Sledge. I felt like an audience member on an Oprah give-away show. We met the next day at a cafe in upper Manhattan and what could have been a fan out turned into a meeting of old friends eating, talking and laughing. The lunch lasted for hours as the conversations shifted from cooking to travel to growing up to old photographs and music of course. Debbie had to leave but Joni hung out with us a bit longer sharing more funny stories. She told us that Kim wanted to join us but she would be arriving later that evening. She made sure that the waiter was well taken care of since we held his table up for so long. It was childhood dream come true and a bond that was established. When Joni broke her ankle last summer, I inboxed her just to check up on her. The conversation turned around to her checking up on me. She lived life to the fullest and touched many lives in the process. Joni Sledge you will truly be missed but I thank you for the best lunch ever.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    4,034
    Rep Power
    0
    Another favorite Joni lead

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    4,034
    Rep Power
    0

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    6,060
    Rep Power
    185
    Quote Originally Posted by glencro View Post
    Name:  bestlunchever.jpg
Views: 719
Size:  51.1 KB Really heartbroken and saddened by the news. I had the chance to meet her on three occasions and she was friendly and funny each time. That's me standing next to her in the pic.
    When Debbie Sledge posted this photo she captioned it "the best lunch ever" and it really was. Since I was a kid I crushed really hard on the group Sister Sledge. So much so that I can remember in 7th grade myself and a friend arguing over which member was our girlfriend. They were beautiful, obviously talented, poised and well spoken and they made great music. Though the hits were awesome for some reason I always gravitated to the lesser known album cuts. Meeting them was something that I had given up on decades ago even though as a photographer I've met more celebrities than I can remember. In 2014 I was able to meet all four sisters on various occasions and did I get to meet them in a big way. It was in New York City and what I thought would be a photo op turned into something bigger. After a show, myself and a few others were able to hang around and talk with Joni and Debbie Sledge. They were very warm, inviting and very gracious. As if meeting them wasn't enough, they surprised us all with gifts from the world class travel store TUMI [[talk about classy). I received a beautiful wallet and a money clip with the inscription JC.SS. When I thanked Joni for it, she said may it bring blessings and prosperity in every aspect of your life. I thought to myself what nice people and what a great night. As if that wasn't enough, I was informed that we would be having lunch with Joni and Debbie Sledge. I felt like an audience member on an Oprah give-away show. We met the next day at a cafe in upper Manhattan and what could have been a fan out turned into a meeting of old friends eating, talking and laughing. The lunch lasted for hours as the conversations shifted from cooking to travel to growing up to old photographs and music of course. Debbie had to leave but Joni hung out with us a bit longer sharing more funny stories. She told us that Kim wanted to join us but she would be arriving later that evening. She made sure that the waiter was well taken care of since we held his table up for so long. It was childhood dream come true and a bond that was established. When Joni broke her ankle last summer, I inboxed her just to check up on her. The conversation turned around to her checking up on me. She lived life to the fullest and touched many lives in the process. Joni Sledge you will truly be missed but I thank you for the best lunch ever.
    What a beautiful tribute glencro. You are very fortunate to have known Joni as well asyou did. You will have many happy memories to look back on. Suddenly the world seems to be a much colder place.

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    2,126
    Rep Power
    201
    Quote Originally Posted by glencro View Post
    Name:  bestlunchever.jpg
Views: 719
Size:  51.1 KB Really heartbroken and saddened by the news. I had the chance to meet her on three occasions and she was friendly and funny each time. That's me standing next to her in the pic.
    When Debbie Sledge posted this photo she captioned it "the best lunch ever" and it really was. Since I was a kid I crushed really hard on the group Sister Sledge. So much so that I can remember in 7th grade myself and a friend arguing over which member was our girlfriend. They were beautiful, obviously talented, poised and well spoken and they made great music. Though the hits were awesome for some reason I always gravitated to the lesser known album cuts. Meeting them was something that I had given up on decades ago even though as a photographer I've met more celebrities than I can remember. In 2014 I was able to meet all four sisters on various occasions and did I get to meet them in a big way. It was in New York City and what I thought would be a photo op turned into something bigger. After a show, myself and a few others were able to hang around and talk with Joni and Debbie Sledge. They were very warm, inviting and very gracious. As if meeting them wasn't enough, they surprised us all with gifts from the world class travel store TUMI [[talk about classy). I received a beautiful wallet and a money clip with the inscription JC.SS. When I thanked Joni for it, she said may it bring blessings and prosperity in every aspect of your life. I thought to myself what nice people and what a great night. As if that wasn't enough, I was informed that we would be having lunch with Joni and Debbie Sledge. I felt like an audience member on an Oprah give-away show. We met the next day at a cafe in upper Manhattan and what could have been a fan out turned into a meeting of old friends eating, talking and laughing. The lunch lasted for hours as the conversations shifted from cooking to travel to growing up to old photographs and music of course. Debbie had to leave but Joni hung out with us a bit longer sharing more funny stories. She told us that Kim wanted to join us but she would be arriving later that evening. She made sure that the waiter was well taken care of since we held his table up for so long. It was childhood dream come true and a bond that was established. When Joni broke her ankle last summer, I inboxed her just to check up on her. The conversation turned around to her checking up on me. She lived life to the fullest and touched many lives in the process. Joni Sledge you will truly be missed but I thank you for the best lunch ever.
    First I would like to thank you for sharing your thoughts and memories with us on this forum very much appreciate you for this.

    I've been checking back because I knew you would give us a great memory.

    Thanks again and my condolences to all Joni's family and friends [[fans). May Joni Rest in everlasting peace.

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Posts
    613
    Rep Power
    102
    Such sad news. I was just watching this weekend the PBS 70s Soul concert with Joni performing with her sister. May she RIP.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    913
    Rep Power
    192
    Quote Originally Posted by glencro View Post
    Name:  bestlunchever.jpg
Views: 719
Size:  51.1 KB Really heartbroken and saddened by the news. I had the chance to meet her on three occasions and she was friendly and funny each time. That's me standing next to her in the pic.
    When Debbie Sledge posted this photo she captioned it "the best lunch ever" and it really was. Since I was a kid I crushed really hard on the group Sister Sledge. So much so that I can remember in 7th grade myself and a friend arguing over which member was our girlfriend. They were beautiful, obviously talented, poised and well spoken and they made great music. Though the hits were awesome for some reason I always gravitated to the lesser known album cuts. Meeting them was something that I had given up on decades ago even though as a photographer I've met more celebrities than I can remember. In 2014 I was able to meet all four sisters on various occasions and did I get to meet them in a big way. It was in New York City and what I thought would be a photo op turned into something bigger. After a show, myself and a few others were able to hang around and talk with Joni and Debbie Sledge. They were very warm, inviting and very gracious. As if meeting them wasn't enough, they surprised us all with gifts from the world class travel store TUMI [[talk about classy). I received a beautiful wallet and a money clip with the inscription JC.SS. When I thanked Joni for it, she said may it bring blessings and prosperity in every aspect of your life. I thought to myself what nice people and what a great night. As if that wasn't enough, I was informed that we would be having lunch with Joni and Debbie Sledge. I felt like an audience member on an Oprah give-away show. We met the next day at a cafe in upper Manhattan and what could have been a fan out turned into a meeting of old friends eating, talking and laughing. The lunch lasted for hours as the conversations shifted from cooking to travel to growing up to old photographs and music of course. Debbie had to leave but Joni hung out with us a bit longer sharing more funny stories. She told us that Kim wanted to join us but she would be arriving later that evening. She made sure that the waiter was well taken care of since we held his table up for so long. It was childhood dream come true and a bond that was established. When Joni broke her ankle last summer, I inboxed her just to check up on her. The conversation turned around to her checking up on me. She lived life to the fullest and touched many lives in the process. Joni Sledge you will truly be missed but I thank you for the best lunch ever.
    Thanks Glencro for sharing such a lovely memory of Joni Sledge. I am pleased to hear that she was as beautiful inside as she was on the outside.

    My Joni memory has to do with her outer beauty. Back in the days when she dated basketball star Reggie Theus, formerly of the Chicago Bulls, she came to watch him play in a summer league game at Chicago State University. It was during the height of Sister Sledge's popularity. The stir she created when she entered the basketball court -- well...you would have thought Diana Ross had walked in. And for good reason, she was stunningly beautiful. It was our brush with fame for the summer. Joni will indeed be missed and celebrated.

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    4,034
    Rep Power
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Bluebrock View Post
    What a beautiful tribute glencro. You are very fortunate to have known Joni as well asyou did. You will have many happy memories to look back on. Suddenly the world seems to be a much colder place.
    Thank you and I totally agree

  26. #26
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    4,034
    Rep Power
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by rod_rick View Post
    First I would like to thank you for sharing your thoughts and memories with us on this forum very much appreciate you for this.

    I've been checking back because I knew you would give us a great memory.

    Thanks again and my condolences to all Joni's family and friends [[fans). May Joni Rest in everlasting peace.
    You're welcome. So glad that I was able to experience meeting this beautiful soul

  27. #27
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    4,034
    Rep Power
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by manny View Post
    ... sad, sad, sad news one more time!
    Casually, yesterday I was looking this great video by The Spnners featuring Joni Sledge singing "Then Came You" where Joni plays the role of Dionne Warwick [[in her own style, of course). She is so sexy!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4364qEsqBHM

    Rest in Peace, Joni Sledge... sadly, another member of the "Phillysound" family is gone [[they started with Anthony Bell and Bobby Eli as producers - songwriters, "Mama Never Told Me" was and still be a favorite Philly number of mine)

    Still in her teens

  28. #28
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Posts
    4,092
    Rep Power
    242
    Touching story, Glencro, and to everyone else who shared. May you RIP, Joni. You and your sisters' music will always be loved.

  29. #29
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    14
    Rep Power
    136
    R.I.P. Joni

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

[REMOVE ADS]

Ralph Terrana
MODERATOR

Welcome to Soulful Detroit! Kindly Consider Turning Off Your Ad BlockingX
Soulful Detroit is a free service that relies on revenue from ad display [regrettably] and donations. We notice that you are using an ad-blocking program that prevents us from earning revenue during your visit.
Ads are REMOVED for Members who donate to Soulful Detroit. [You must be logged in for ads to disappear]
DONATE HERE »
And have Ads removed.