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Andrea Davis

 


Minnie Ripperton LP cover | tc080

Andrea Davis is better known as Minnie Ripperton, who sang with the group The Gems and with Rotary Connection before commencing a successful but alas short solo career. Minnie Julia Riperton was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 8, 1947. 

The young Ripperton received operatic vocal training from Marion Jeffery. Her amazing voice led to many recordings, in groups, solo, and singing backgrounds on tracks by artists including Etta James, Fontella Bass, Ramsey Lewis, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, and Muddy Waters.

In 1976 she was diagnosed with breast cancer but the surgery was too late and she was given about six months to live. She continued her career and also went public with her breast cancer diagnosis. In 1977 she became a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society then in 1978 Ripperton received the American Cancer Society’s Courage Award which was presented to her by then President Jimmy Carter.

Andrea Davis died in Los Angeles, California, on July 12, 1979.

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