Sharon Redd

SHARON REDD - FORMERLY OF THE HARLETTES (1978)

1. I can't dance
2. Ain't no man worth it
3. Cash in
4. Maiden Voyage
5. Roll me through the rushes
6. Put it where you want it
7. Goes your mama know about me
8. Now (Sweet Lover Man)

Sharon Redd was born in Norfolk, Virginia to Gene Redd and Carolyn Ford. Gene Redd, was a producer and musical director at King Records and her stepfather performed with the Benny Goodman band. Her brother was a writer and producer for Kool & the Gang and BMP. Her sister Pennye Ford is also a singer with two albums to her credit.Sharon Redd began her recording career with four singles in 1968 for United Artists, three written and all four produced by songwriter and record producer, Bobby Susser. Susser chose the Hank Williams song, "Half As Much" for Redd's first single. Redd's vocals against Susser's bass pounding musical track, made Sharon's presence very quickly known in the music industry, though the productions were not big hits. Redd, a budding actress, got a major break starring in an Australian production of rock musical Hair. Redd was among a troupe of young African-American imports to the Sydney production, a group which notably included Marcia Hines. Redd appeared in the production from its June 6, 1969 premiere through 1971.As Redd was becoming famous in the Australia, she was interviewed by Barry Sloane on a 1971 episode of "GTK". [5] Her popular adverts for Amoco led to her own television special. Aside from Hair, Redd also acted in Ti-Jean and His Brothers and, in 1974, traveled to London to star in an American production of The Wedding Of Iphigenia. In 1977 Redd played the role of Sherrye in "Rhoda". 1978 saw Redd feature as a guest in the musical Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Around this time, Bette Midler was looking to replace Merle Miller and Gail Kantor, who had left after Midler's 1973 tour, to pursue their own interests. Midler auditioned over 70 performers, but Redd landed the job becoming one of Bette's Harlettes. [9] Aside from performing as a Harlette, Redd also provided backing vocals for Carol Douglas ("Burnin'" and "Night Fever"), and Norman Connors ("You Are My Starship"). Having ended their association with Midler, Redd, Charlotte Crossley, & Ula Hedwig released an LP, Formerly Of The Harlettes, in late 1977. In 1979, Redd recorded the disco hit "Love Insurance", released by Panorama Records under the name Front Page, her own vocals uncredited. Soon she had a recording contract with Prelude Records, and Redd became the label's most successful artist. Her first album, 1980's self-titled Sharon Redd, was closely followed by two more; Redd Hott (1982) and Love How You Feel (1983). Redd placed several songs on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, including "Beat the Street", "In The Name of Love", and "Love How You Feel". After these releases, Sharon Redd returned to her successful career as a background vocalist. Then, in 1991 she released a single entitled "All The Way To Love", but this was to be her last solo recording.