Joan Elise Sledge (September 13, 1956 – March 10, 2017) was an American singer best known as a founding member of the family vocal group
Sister Sledge
Sister Sledge is an American musical vocal group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formed in 1971, the group consisted of sisters Debbie, Joni, Kim, and Kathy Sledge. The siblings achieved international success at the height of the disco era. ...
. The group was known for their hits during the mid-1970s through the mid-1990s; most notably 1979's "
We Are Family" and "
He's the Greatest Dancer".
Biography
Sledge was born the third of five daughters in
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, to Edwin Sledge, a
tap dancer, and his actress wife, Florez (''née'' Williams).
Described as a warm extrovert, Sledge attended
Olney High School, graduating in 1974. Sledge majored in communications while in college and began acting in school productions at
Temple University.
[Ebony Magazine – February 1980](_blank)
/ref> During her sophomore year at Temple, she directed her first stage-play "Wild Flower", written by Hazel Bright and produced by Ron Alexander. Sometime during her career, Sledge briefly lived in Paris, France and studied at Sorbonne University.
In addition to singing, Sledge was also a songwriter and producer; writing and producing the song "Brother, Brother Stop" for a Sister Sledge greatest hits album in 1996. Sledge's production of their album ''African Eyes'' which was released in 1997 was nominated for a best-production Grammy
The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...
.
Personal life and death
Sledge had one child, a son named Thaddeus Everett Whyte IV from her marriage to Thaddeus E. Whyte III which was from 1992 until 2000. Sledge, at age 60, was found dead by a friend at her home on March 11, 2017, in Phoenix, Arizona. Her death was originally attributed to unknown circumstances as she had no known illnesses, according to close family sources. On March 14, 2017, Sledge's cause of death was ruled "natural causes" related to a pre-existing condition.
Filmography
* 1975: ''Soul Train
''Soul Train'' is an American musical variety television show. It aired in syndication from October 2, 1971, to March 25, 2006. Across its 35-year history the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists. The series w ...
'' — Herself (4 episodes) (1977, 1982, 1983)
* 1975: '' The Midnight Special'' — guest singer with Spinners performing their hit song " Then Came You".The Spinners & Joni Sledge (Then Came You) 1975
/ref>
* 1979: ''American Bandstand
''American Bandstand'', abbreviated ''AB'', is an American music-performance and dance television program that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989, and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as the pro ...
'' — Herself (3 episodes; 1980, 1981)
* 1980: ''The John Davidson Show'' — Herself (1 episode)
* 1981: ''Kids Are People, Too'' — Herself (1 episode)
* 1982: ''Fridays
Friday is the day of the week between Thursday and Saturday. In countries that adopt the traditional "Sunday-first" convention, it is the sixth day of the week. In countries adopting the ISO-defined "Monday-first" convention, it is the fifth ...
'' — Herself (1 episode)
* 1984: '' The Jeffersons'' — Joni Satin (Season 10, Episode 16; My Guy, George)
* 2000: ''100 Greatest Dance Songs of Rock & Roll'' — Herself
* 2006: ''Archive Footage:Be My Baby: The Girl Group Story'' — Herself (uncredited)
* 2008: '' Soul Power'' — Herself (with Sister Sledge) (uncredited; 1974 concert series from " The Rumble in the Jungle" between Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali (; born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.; January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer and activist. Nicknamed "The Greatest", he is regarded as one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century, a ...
and George Foreman
George Edward Foreman (born January 10, 1949) is an American former professional boxer, entrepreneur, minister and author. In boxing, he was nicknamed "Big George" and competed between 1967 and 1997. He is a two-time world heavyweight champio ...
in Zaire)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sledge, Joni
1956 births
2017 deaths
Musicians from Philadelphia
American disco musicians
20th-century African-American women singers
Burials at Ivy Hill Cemetery (Philadelphia)
20th-century American women singers
20th-century American singers
21st-century African-American people
21st-century African-American women
Sister Sledge members