By Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone | Alfa Anderson, an early lead vocalist for Chic who sang on hits including “Good Times” and “Le Freak,” died on Dec. 17 at age 78. Chic bandmate Nile Rodgers confirmed the news.
“Thank you for everything,” Rodgers wrote on Tuesday, Dec. 17 on Instagram, sharing a montage of photos of him and Anderson, and the band. Chic’s “At Last I Am Free,” one of Anderson’s solo features from 1978 sophomore album C’est Chic, soundtracks the tribute. “RIP Alfa Anderson. CHIC organization,” it reads over the montage. “Forever loved.” No further details about her death were given.
Anderson’s early work as a vocalist included a featured role in Cannonball Adderley’s Big Man (1976) which debuted at Carnegie Hall and she also starred in the Lincoln Center’s production of Children of the Fire, which was scored by trumpeter “Hannibal” Marvin Peterson, per her official bio. The Quincy Jones-produced soundtrack to 1978’s The Wiz also featured Anderson’s vocals.
Luther Vandross played a pivotal role in her joining Chic when he invited her to a vocal session with the group in 1977. It was early in the band’s formation, Rodgers and Bernard Edwards had recently assembled the group that included drummer Tony Thompson and lead vocalist Norma Jean Wright. Anderson sang backing vocals on their hit “Everybody Dance” and appeared on “Dance Dance Dance” from the band’s debut album.
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Read more about Ms. Anderson’s life here:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/alfa-anderson-chic-lead-vocalist-who-sang-good-times-and-le-freak-dead-at-78/ar-AA1wimof?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=12fdbe47275642bab5ee621f2ff74209&ei=89
Photo: Chic band | From 1980s Legend Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=524881917371341&set=a.332168329976035