Great sadness in the world of house music as news broke of the passing of one of a handful of iconic house divas. 5Magazine said it best: “House Music is infused with Loleatta’s voice; in many ways, Loleatta Holloway is House Music’s voice.”
Beatportal reported the following…
There’s sadness in the world of disco today, as reports emerge that the soul and disco singer Loleatta Holloway has died, at the age of 64.
Holloway’s single “Love Sensation,” released on Salsoul in 1980, was repurposed for Black Box’s #1 hit “Ride on Time” in 1989 and has been sampled or remade countless times since then, becoming a staple of disco and house history.
In addition to Holloway’s disco recordings—check out her contributions to Salsoul Classics Volume 1, Volume 3 & 4 and Larry Levan’s Paradise Garage, along with the album Love Sensation, which also features period remixes from Tom Moulton and Shep Pettibone—Holloway released one single, 1987′s “So Sweet,” on DJ International Records, one of house music’s founding imprints.
Holloway, whom Francois Kevorkian described as “THE original diva singer,” had a voice and a presence like no other—just check out a clip of her performing live in New Jersey just last summer. Her impact upon the world of house music was immeasurable; she will be missed.
Update: Check out DJ History’s recent interview with her for more.
Watch this video on Beatportal
