Singer Helen Reddy (1941-2020)

[Zoneboy]

https://www.usnews.com/news/entertai...in-los-angeles

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Helen Reddy, who shot to stardom in the 1970s with her feminist anthem “I Am Woman” and recorded a string of other hits, had died. She was 78.

Reddy’s children Traci and Jordan announced that the actress-singer died Tuesday in Los Angeles. “She was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother and a truly formidable woman,” they said in a statement. “Our hearts are broken. But we take comfort in the knowledge that her voice will live on forever.”



The Australian-born singer enjoyed a prolific career, appearing in “Airport 1975” as a singing nun and scoring several hits, including “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” from “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Ain’t No Way To Treat a Lady,” “Delta Dawn,” “Angie Baby” and “You and Me Against the World.”

Reddy’s version of “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” in 1971 launched a decade-long string of Top 40 hits, three of which reached No. 1.

Two years later she won the best female vocal pop performance Grammy Award for “I Am Woman,” quickly thanking her then-husband and others in her acceptance speech.

“I only have 10 seconds so I would like to thank everyone from Sony Capitol Records, I would like to think Jeff Wald because he makes my success possible and I would like to thank God because she makes everything possible,” Reddy said, hoisting her Grammy in the air and leaving the stage to loud applause.

“I Am Woman” would become her biggest hit, used in films and television series.

In a 2012 interview with The Associated Press, Reddy cited the gigantic success of “I Am Woman” as one of the reasons she stepped out of public life.

“That was one of the reasons that I stopped singing, was when I was shown a modern American history high-school textbook, and a whole chapter on feminism and my name and my lyrics (were) in the book,” she told the AP. “And I thought, `Well, I’m part of history now. And how do I top that? I can’t top that.′ So, it was an easy withdrawal.”


Reddy’s death comes less than three weeks after the release of a biopic about her life called “I Am Woman.”

A performer since childhood, Reddy was part of a show-business family in Melbourne. She won a contest that brought her to the United States and launched her recording career, although she first had to overcome ideas about her sound.

“In my earlier days in Australia, I was considered to be more of a jazz singer. When I won the contest that brought me to this country, one person said, ‘The judges didn’t feel you could have a recording career because you don’t have a commercial sound.’”

Reddy retired from performing in the 1990s and returned to Australia, getting her degree in clinical hypnotherapy.

[OH Nuts!]

I adored her. So sorry to hear this. May she R.I.P.

[Bonniegirl]

So sorry to hear this ! I loved her songs , she was such an inspiration to women! " I am woman hear me roar " ! May she rest in peace !

[Hawkee]

The first time I ever heard Helen Reddy sing was in Disney's Pete's Dragon and I first saw it in school when my class would have movie day and my teacher and I saw it by ourselves because the rest of my classmates were still playing on the playground and I had to stay inside and finish my schoolwork and since recess was over by the time I finished my teacher treated me to a movie and that movie was Pete's Dragon which I didn't think i'd love at first but I found it fun. And my teacher told me that Helen Reddy was in it and at first I was clueless and then my teacher kept telling me more about Helen Reddy and then I knew who she was. And so I heard her sing Candle On The Water and it is a beautiful song and I was enchanted by it and so I started singing along with Helen and I fell in love with the lyrics of Candle On The Water and it's the only song I like of Helen Reddy so far. Helen also sang It's Not Easy on Pete's Dragon as well and that movie showed Helen's talent really well. I also found that she had sung a Billy Joel song as well in her career
Bestie

[80sTrivia]

So sad to hear of Helen's passing...

[1960'sTVfan]

Sad to learn about the passing of two 1970's music legends, Helen Reddy and Mac Davis. Helen Reddy was a good singer and I like some of her songs. I'm not a big Mac Davis fan but I like his hit song from 1972 Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me.

[AB]

So sad to hear of her passing, may she rest in peace.