Sending out the love

RGR would like to wish singer Dee Dee Sharp( born Dione LaRue) a very happy 79th birthday. Born this day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1945 Although she began playing the piano from an early age and directed church choirs for her grandfather's and other congregations in her hometown. Her career truly began in 1958 when aged thirteen, her mother suffered a car accident, which spurred her to find a singing job to help support the family while her mother recovered from her injuries. This was only possible because of her grandmother's blessing, given only after Dee Dee promised to keep up with her schooling. She responded to an ad in the daily news for backup singers and her first job was with Willa Ward Moultrie. Following this she was soon singing backup vocals for the likes of Lloyd Price, Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon and Jackie Wilson.

In 1962, she was signed by Cameo/Parkway and was re-christened Dee Dee Sharp by producers Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe as at the time, her brother called her "Dee" and since she sang in "D sharp" she was given this new identity. She produced a string of successful Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits: "Slow Twistin'" (with Chubby Checker) (#3) for which she was uncredited on the label, "Mashed Potato Time" (#2), "Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes)" (#9), "Ride!" (#5) and "Do the Bird" (#10). Both "Mashed Potato Time" and "Ride!" each sold over one million copies, and were awarded gold discs. "Do the Bird" provided her only entry in the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at #46 in April 1963.

From 1962 to 1981 she appeared several times on American Bandstand, the ABC Television Network music-performance and dance series hosted by Dick Clark. She was also a regular feature on Clark's Caravan of Stars tours. In 1965 Dee Dee performed the jazz song "Steady, Steady" on the Ed Sullivan show. The following year unhappy with record sales, she switched to Atco/Atlantic Records. In 1967, she married record producer and Philadelphia International co-founder Kenny Gamble and later founded Gamble Records with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Over time she would also work with TSOP and Philadelphia International.

After adjusting her name to Dee Dee Sharp-Gamble, she had a career resurgence during the disco era and hit the charts again with her version of 10 CC's "I'm Not In Love." She also joined Lou Rawls, Billy Paul, Teddy Pendergrass, The O'Jays and Archie Bell as a member of the Philadelphia International All Stars, who had a minor hit with "Let's Clean Up the Ghetto." In 1980 she spent four weeks at number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart with "Breaking and Entering" / "Easy Money," from her album Dee Dee.

In 1992, her 1962 hit "Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes)" was featured in a scene in the American movie comedy Sister Act and it was also included as part of the film's soundtrack album. More recent appearances included a performance at Pontins in the UK for the Northern Soul Show, and at the 2008 Detroit Jazz Festival.

In a documentary film, Muhammad Ali: The Whole Story, Dee Dee claimed that in 1964 she was engaged to Muhammad Ali shortly before he converted to the Muslim faith, when she was told that she herself had to become a Muslim before she married him her mother ended the engagement.

Dee Dee currently resides in Medford, New Jersey with her husband Bill Witherspoon.

https://youtu.be/pOMb0pozaHE?si=pzyY-TCWhIYzYH8c

Our mission

We're on a mission to change the way radio is listened to. We want to show the love and appreciation to under played artists, who have given us such brilliant music but not given the exposure they deserve.

Our vision

To share the love and spread the vibe. Its rare for a reason and long may it stay that way, but now it doesn't have to be a rare occasion to hear quality.