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On this date, July 12 in 1979–
American singer songwriter Minnie Riperton died of cancer aged 31. The Stevie Wonder produced ‘Loving You’ gave Minnie a US No.1 single in 1975. She worked at Chess records singing backup for various artists such as Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters. She also sang lead for the experimental rock/soul group Rotary Connection, from 1967 to 1971. Minnie was also a member of Wonderlove in 1973, a backup group for Stevie Wonder.
Mother of actress Maya Rudolph.
