Alfa Anderson, a vocalist known for her work with the iconic 1970s disco band Chic, has died. She was 78.
Niles Rodgers, founder of Chic, shared the news in an Instagram post on Dec. 17. “RIP Alfa Anderson. CHIC Organization,” he wrote in his caption. “Forever loved ❤️🙏🏽.”
A cause of death has not yet been revealed for the musician.
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Born on Sept. 7, 1947, Anderson began her professional singing career at an early age, working alongside some of the industry’s most talented vocalists and musicians.
According to her official bio, she made her professional debut in Cannonball Adderley’s Big Man (1976), which premiered at Carnegie Hall, and later went on to star in the Lincoln Center’s production of Children of the Fire, a piece scored by legendary trumpeter “Hannibal” Marvin Peterson.
Anderson was also an educator with a master’s degree from Columbia University when she made her professional stage debut.
Throughout the ’70s, the star recorded background vocals for a variety of artists, including Nat Adderley, Ray Barretto, Odyssey, Major Harris and Roy Buchanan.
Anderson also lent her voice to the Quincy Jones-produced soundtrack for The Wiz (1978), starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
In 1977, Anderson’s life changed when Luther Vandross introduced her to Rodgers and his writing partner Bernard Edwards, who were leading members of the newly formed Chic. The band also included Tony Thompson on drums and Norma Jean Wright on vocals.
Anderson ended up singing backing vocals on one of Chic’s first singles for Atlantic Records, “Everybody Dance,” which brought Chic one of its first dance-chart hits in 1977. She also performed on “Dance Dance Dance” from the band’s debut album.
After joining Chic on tour, Anderson was promoted to lead vocalist, a role she and Luci Martin shared from 1978 to 1983, after Wright left the band in 1978.
From there, Anderson would go on to record other notable hits like “Le Freak” and “Good Times,” bringing Chic to the mainstream. “Le Freak,” one of the band’s most successful singles, was the “biggest-selling single in Atlantic Records history” for more than 30 years and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015.
After Chic called it quits in 1983, Anderson continued her career with a variety of solo artists and reunited with her longtime friend Vandross, whom she toured with from 1982 through 1987.
Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Anderson provided vocals for a long list of big names in music, including Bryan Adams, Gregory Hines, Mick Jagger, Teddy Pendergrass, Jennifer Holliday, Billy Squier, Sheena Easton, Jody Watley, Bryan Ferry and Jonathan Butler.
In recent years, Anderson released Music from My Heart in 2017, her very first full-length solo effort. She premiered the album with a standing-room-only concert at Joe’s Pub (The Public Theater).
Eventually, Anderson returned to her roots as an educator and earned a second master’s degree in school leadership from Bank Street College in New York City. She also served as a principal of El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice High School in Brooklyn.
“During her tenure, Alfa inspired and transformed the lives of our young people and community with her profound grace, wisdom, artistry and indomitable spirit,” the school wrote in a touching statement on Instagram. “We thank you, dear Alfa and may you continue to dance with the angels with eternal peace and power!”
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