Loleatta Holloway

Loleatta Holloway was born Loleatta Williams in 1946 and started singing in her church choir. She grew up listening to gospel singers like Aretha Franklin and Mahalia Jackson, which shaped her vocal style. In 1975, she signed with Avco Records and put out her first album, simply called 'Loleatta.' That record included 'Cry To Me,' a song that became her best-known track.

Her voice had a raw, emotional quality that worked across different styles. She recorded songs like 'Runaway' and 'Share My Joy,' and worked with producers Norman Harris and Patrick Adams.

Holloway kept recording through the early 1980s, with albums like 'Love Sensation' and 'Lady Soul.' She sang 'Don't Leave Me This Way' and 'Catch Me On The Rebound,' songs that showed her range from soul to disco. Her career had its difficulties, but she left behind a catalog that still gets sampled and played.