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Loleatta Holloway, Soul and Disco Star, Dies Aged 64
- Posted on Mar 22nd 2011 9:15AM by Andrew Kerr
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
The singer passed away on Monday evening, March 21, after a brief illness, her manager Ron Richardson announced (via Spinning Soul).
Holloway's biggest hit 'Love Sensation' came in 1980 and proved a major inspiration to a variety of dance acts that followed. Her vocal from the track was most notably sampled on Black Box's 1989 UK No. 1 'Ride on Time', although at the time the Italian house trio employed a French model to mime along to Holloway's powerful vocal.
After starting her career as a gospel singer, Holloway signed to Aware Records in the early 1970s but with only two albums under her belt the label went out of business and Holloway moved on. In 1976 she signed with the Gold Mind label and scored her then biggest success with the B-side 'Dreaming' which swiftly launched her career as a disco star. In all she recorded six albums between 1973 and 1980.
Quick to pay their respects, Danish popsters Alphabeat tweeted, "A great inspiration. R.I.P Loleatta Holloway."
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Ms Holloway was one of the greatest disco artists and a strong supporter of the Gay community. Her music will be held in high esteem when the but on the oldies commercials in ten years. Thank you Loleatta! You and First Choice made may life worth living as a gay man! God Bless!
October 06 2012 at 12:19 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Clint
She was fantastic . I am listening to her "Hit and Run" right now.
March 23 2011 at 2:24 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Dougger
I hope more young people find the prize that was Loleatta Holloway through her music.
March 22 2011 at 10:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
David Hart
1 reply to David Hart's comment
So saddened to read this. She really was a vocal force and will be missed. She did a wonderful cover version of "you light up my life" which is just extraordinary and gives me chills....
R.I.P.
Donald R
David you think you had chills.....I was her drummer during the Cry To Me & and Hit And Run era.....I was 19 years old at the time......What a powerful voice.
God bless the Holloway family. She WILL be truly missed.
Glenn Rivera
Loletta is the House Mother of Disco! Her music has made history - she will live in our souls forever!
Thank you, Loleatta :)
Joe
What a loss to the music world. I was just reading the liner notes to my Loleatta anthology set last night, so this news is especially shocking. Loleatta, your spirit will live on through your music and your inspiration to many.
March 22 2011 at 10:06 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
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