

Minnie Riperton started her career singing on hits for Fontella Bass and Etta James before becoming the frontwoman for '60s psychedelic soul act Rotary Connection. After her 1970 solo debut Come to My Garden flopped, Riperton temporarily left the music business to raise her two children (including daughter Maya Rudolph, a future comedy star). Her comeback album, 1974's Perfect Angel, was co-produced by Stevie Wonder and featured her signature song, "Lovin' You," which made it up to #3 on the charts. Riperton was prolific through the late '70s, until she died of cancer in 1979.