The passing of a singing legend

Singing legend Loleatta Holloway passed away on 21 March, aged 64, marking the end of an era for one of dance music's finest.

From Chicago, Illinois and hailing from a gospel singing family - almost a prerequisite for the best known disco singers - Holloway's mark was made on disco hits on Gold Mine, a sub-label of New York's legendary Salsoul Records. Her songs 'Love Sensation' and 'Hit and Run' are bona fide dance music classics and her contribution to other artist's works, notably Dan Hartman's 'Re-light My Fire', were many.

With a singing career spanned from the 1970s to the modern day Holloway's songs are still routinely heard in clubs, found on compilations, remixed, bootlegged and sampled. Famously sampled by Black Box in 'Ride On Time' and Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch 'Good Vibrations' her classy singing was recognised by many as a benchmark for soulful vocals.

Old school Holloway lovers may not rate this release but her vocals here on Fire Island's 'Shout To The Top' from 1998 are one of my favourites.

Loleatta Holloway - R.I.P.
5 November 1946 - 21 March 2011