Disco legend Alfa Anderson, best known as the lead vocalist for ’70s band Chic, has died aged 78.
Her death was announced by guitarist Nile Rodgers, who originally founded the group along with bassist Bernard Edwards in 1972, and worked extensively with Anderson.
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Rodgers, 72, shared a sweet video tribute on Instagram for his former colleague, sharing black and white pictures of the band’s early days, with “RIP Alfa Anderson. CHIC Organization” written in a text overlay.
The final photo is a recent one of them laughing together.
Rodgers wrote a message in the hashtags, listing: “#restinpoweralfaanderson #chic #loveyou #original #truth #soul #memories #wearefamily #always #music #peace #wedidit #together”, before he added, “Thank you for everything ❤️❤️❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🎶🎶🎶🎤🎤🎤”
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Many others mourned the loss in the comments section.
Renowned director Spike Lee penned, “Nothing But 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜.” referring to the legendary singer.
Earth, Wind, and Fire wrote, “Our deepest condolences to you and the Chic Family.”
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Current lead Chic singer Folami wrote, “The saddest news of year… #RestInChic and being a fabulous Queen!! 😭😭🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾💔 My deepest condolences @nilerodgers 💕Love you. 😭😭.”
Anderson was always musically inclined, dabbling in singing even as she earned her masters degree in English. She made her professional debut in Cannonball Adderley’s Big Man – The Legend of John-Henry in 1976.
One year later, she was encouraged to audition for Chic, originally becoming a background vocal. When one of Chic’s original leads, Norma Jean Wright, left the group in 1978, Anderson took her place.
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Anderson’s vocals can be heard from the group’s debut with Dance, Dance, Dance and Everybody Dance, as well as hits like Le Freak, Good Times, and My Forbidden Lover.
Though the original group was dissolved in 1983 (only to be revived with new vocalists in 1992), Anderson continued to sing and tour – at places like Wembeley stadium and with the likes of Mick Jagger, Diana Ross, and more – even as she returned to education as the principal at El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice High School in Brooklyn, New York, after earning a second master’s degree.
In 2013 she released the single Former First Lady of Chic, after which she formed a trio with former bandmates Norma Jean Wright and Luci Martin and hit number two on the Billboard charts with Get on Up, a collaboration with Aristofreeks and guest vocalist Kathy Sledge.
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Anderson and Martin also returned for the 2015 Chic track I’ll Be There, which hit number one on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
Anderson was wed to producer, composer, and bass player Eluriel “Tinkr” Barfiel, with whom she formed a group named Voices of Shalom.
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