Kathy Sledge is an American singer–songwriter and producer. Sledge is best known as the youngest and founding member of Sister Sledge, an American vocal group which is made up of her sisters that formed in 1971. After achieving success beginning the late–1970s thru the mid–1980s with Sister Sledge, Sledge embarked on her solo career in 1989. Sledge has had several hits on the International Pop and Hot Dance Music/Club Playchart, including "Take Me Back to Love Again", which hit #1 in 1992.
Biography
Early life and education
Born in Philadelphia, Sledge was the youngest child born to Edwin, a former Broadway star of dance-tap duo 'Fred and Sledge' and Florez. Her siblings are Norma Carol Blackmon, Debra, Joan and Kim Sledge. Sledges' grandmother Viola Williams was a opera singer. For high school, Sledge attended Olney High School; graduating in 1977. After completing high school, Sledge continued her education at Temple University; majoring in Recreational Opportunities for the disabled.
Career
Sledge along with her sisters formed Sister Sledge in 1971. Sledge performed the lead vocals on the two Top 10 US hits the group had on the Hot 100, "He's the Greatest Dancer" and "We Are Family" which were released in 1979. Sledge left the group and emabarked on a solo career in 1989. In 1992, Sledge released a solo album, Heart, which peaked at #86 on the R&B charts. The album produced two singles, "Take Me Back to Love Again" and "All of My Love". Sledge collaborated with dance producer Robert Miles on the dance/pop single "Freedom" 1997. She returned to the dance chart in 2001 as a featured vocalist for King Britt's musical project Sylk 130 on the track "Rising". In 2011, Sledge released a track called "Give Yourself Up" on Universal Records, featuring Adam Barta, and produced by Mike Rizzo and Mr. Mig, which hit Top 20 on the Billboard Hot Club Play Chart. In September 2013, Sledge was the first signing of the new Pacific Electronic Musicrecord label formed by Jerry L. Greenberg, Max Martire & Lenny Ibizarre. On September 25, 2013, Sledge received an "Outstanding Contribution to Music" award at the 16th DJ Awards at Pacha, Ibiza. and performed the new Aristofreeks remix of "We Are Family". The first release of the five remixes of "We Are Family" that she re-recorded with the Aristofreeks were released on November 11, 2013. Sledge also has a single together with the same group, "Keep It Moving", which went up to the No. 2 spot on the US Dance chart.
Personal life
Sledge has been married once and has two children. Sledge has been married to musician Philip Lightfoot since 1981 and together they have two children, Phillip Jr. and Kristen.
