Lead singer in legendary disco band dead at 78: ‘Thank you for everything’
Alfa Anderson, a co-lead singer in the legendary disco and R&B group Chic, has passed away.
She was 78.
People reports a cause of death has not yet been revealed.
Chic founder Nile Rodgers shared the news of Anderson’s passing in an Instagram post. Text in the video says, “RIP Alfa Anderson. CHIC Organization. Forever loved.”
The caption reads, “Thank you for everything.”
Born in Augusta, Georgia, Anderson previously performed in Cannonball Adderley’s “Big Man — The Legend of John-Henry” in 1976 before then performing “Children of the Fire” at Lincoln Center.
She also recorded with artists like Roy Buchanan and Dionne Warwick, and her voice appears on the soundtrack to “The Wiz,” produced by the late Quincy Jones in 1978.
She befriended Luther Vandross, who in 1977 encouraged her to audition for Chic. She appeared as a background vocalist on the band’s debut album “Chic,” featuring hits like “Dance, Dance, Dance” and “Everybody Dance.”
When one of the group’s original lead singers, Norma Jean Wright, left the group in 1978, Anderson stepped into the role, singing on hugely popular singes like “Le Freak,” “Good Times” and “My Forbidden Lover.” Anderson served as the lead vocalist on the hit “I Want Your Love” in 1978.
Anderson would also work with Sister Sledge, Diana Ross and Johnny Mathis. When Chic dissolved in the early ’80s, Anderson toured with Luther Vandross until 1987. She would also appear on albums by notable artists like Bryan Adams, Mick Jagger, Billy Squier, Sheena Easton, among others.
An official proclamation declared May 5, 2018 “Alfa Anderson Day” in Augusta, Georgia, as she was given the keys to the city, according to her official website bio.
She was also inducted into the 2018 Legends of Vinyl (L.O.V.) Hall of Fame, and she received the G.E.M.A. Foundation’s “Golden Mic Award” (2014) and a Citation from the City of Philadelphia that recognized her many contributions to music.
Chic’s recording of “Le Freak” was inducted into the 2015 Grammy Hall of Fame and was added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2018.