Music has a huge impact on society and has influenced many individuals today and even back in the seventies. Disco music was an uptempo form of music, which was a combination of soul, funk, latin and motown music. Disco had a strong beat, the music was described as four-on-the-floor beats, which was meant to make people want to get up and dance. Disco in fact, was one of the best genres of music that existed, because it brought people together and gave everyone an opportunity to be who they wanted to be when they hit the dance floor. Each and every disco musical group was unique and had their own styles and aspects which helped the genre evolve through different social groups.
The disco group Sister Sledge is one of the most unique disco groups that existed back in the seventies. The multi-lead vocal group of four incredible entertainers were responsible for the greatest dance anthems ever. ‘We Are Family’, ‘He’s the Greatest dancer’, ‘Thinking of You’ and ‘Lost in Music’, are all around cherished tunes that unite people from different ethnicities in adoration, life and soulful grooves (“Ultimate Disco cruise”). Sister Sledge was very distinct from any other disco musical group because not only were they African American, they were all women. The group consisted of four African- American sisters, Kathy, Debbie, Joni, and Kim. Sister Sledge was formed in 1971 and at that time the sisters ages ranged from twelve to sixteen, with Debbie Sledge being the oldest, Kathy being the youngest and the lead singer of all of the sisters. Daughters of a famous tap dancer Edwin Sledge and actress Florez Sledge, the sisters were originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and became extremely popular during the disco era in the seventies (Robinson, Louise).
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The sisters started singing at local churches all over Philadelphia, such as Williams Temple CME and Second Macedonia Baptist Church. The sisters came from a musical background, their grandmother Viola Williams, a well known opera singer, gave the sisters vocal lessons. Sister Sledge recorded their first single “ Time Will Tell” in 1971, for the Money Back Label, in 1972 the sisters recorded their second single 'Weatherman” after signing a deal with Atco. Sister Sledge did not become well known until their professional music career launched when they entered the UK Singles Chart in 1975 with 'Mama Never Told Me', composed by Tony Bell and Phil Hurtt.
The siblings achieved international success at the height of the disco era by winning the Silver Award in Japan at the 1974 Tokyo Music Festival ( “ Ultimate Disco Cruise”). Sister sledge soon became one of the most popular African-American musical groups in the seventies. One of their top hits, “ We Are Family” , written by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, was recorded and released in January 22, 1979, the song became a worldwide hit charting at No. 2 pop and No. 1 R&B. “We Are Family” and Sister Sledge were nominated for a Grammy Award and 'We Are Family' was adopted as the official anthem for The Pittsburgh Pirates who went on to win the World Series that year. When Debbie went on Maternity leave their other sister, Carol, who wasn’t in the original group, took Debbie’s place temporarily. They were named Billboards ‘Best New Artist’, the sisters enjoyed their taste of fame and time spent when they were on tour together whilst performing for their fans. The sisters collaborated with Narada Michael Walden, in 1981, they worked together to produce their fifth studio album “All American Girls”, which landed a number three hit on the Billboard.
Not many disco bands could compare to Sister Sledge, for the sisters had their own sense of style and uniqueness. The 1970’s were not only the birth period of disco music but was an important movement for black hair history, as celebrities and everyday women appeared to embrace the texture of our hair. The sisters had a huge impact on the black community when they started wearing their hair into afros; it influenced the black culture to start wearing their hair in the same styles( Black America Web). From the way the sisters dressed to the way they presented themselves, this behavior motivated other African- American women to embrace their natural beauty.
Sister Sledge has become a household name and a symbol of unity. In the aftermath of 9/11, the sisters re-recorded “ We Are Family” as a benefits record. The group continued to grow as they received the opportunity to perform for the former presidential family, the Clintons at the White House. Throughout the years, the group has earned a string of Gold and Platinum hits, acquiring several honors and tributes including Grammy Nominations. The sisters kept spreading all inclusive love, visiting the world carrying their authentic grooves to people of all ages and colors.
Although Kathy Sledge, left the group in 1989 to pursue a career as a solo singer, she was still willing to preform with the sisters when she was needed. Unfortunately Joni Sledge died from natural causes in her home in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 6th, 2017 at the age of sixty. As of today, Sister Sledge only consist of two sisters and they continue to tour from time to time. The era of disco was short-lived, but many people to this day still listen to the classics from the era. Disco was the only genre in history to have an official death date, and was one of the most cultural movements in the seventies. The era brought individuals from different backgrounds together and everyone was considered equal. Disco music rapidly started to die down in the 1980’s and more people started to move toward the dance, pop and rock music.
Work Cited!
- Bawtonyapendleton. “A Family Divided: What Happened To Sister Sledge?” Black America Web, Black America Web, 17 Aug. 2016,
- Henderson, Alex. “Sister Sledge: Biography & History.” AllMusic, https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sister-sledge-mn0000746666/biography.
- Peloquin, Margaret. Austin Community College, https://login.lsproxy.austincc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direct&db=funk&AN=di062650&site=eds-live&scope=site.
- Peloquin, Margaret. Austin Community College, https://login.lsproxy.austincc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.lsproxy.austincc.edu/login.aspx?direct&db=f6h&AN=49037329&site=eds-live&scope=site.
- “Sister Sledge.” Discogs, https://www.discogs.com/ru/artist/37224-Sister-Sledge.
- “Sister Sledge Hometown, Lineup, Biography.” Last.fm, https://www.last.fm/music/Sister Sledge/ wiki.
- https://ultimatediscocruise.com/lineup/sister-sledge.
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