I’ve written many times about musical performers who died before they could enjoy the kind of long career that their talent deserved. In a lot of cases their own self-destructive behavior led to a tragic end, but some were brought down by fate. The incredible voice of Minnie Riperton was stilled at just age 31 by cancer.
A singer with five-octave range who even considered opera at one time, Riperton topped the charts in 1975 with her unforgettable ballad “Lovin’ You.” It made her an international star, but even though she kept 
working for the next few years and made a number of good records, she would be gone by the end of the decade.
The Chicago-born performer studied music, dance, and drama while growing up, and by her teen years she was appearing professionally as part of an all-girl group known as the Gems. It would lead to the Chess recording studio and limited success, but she also gained some experience as a backup singer for stars like Etta James and Fontella Bass.
Within a few years she’d spent some time fronting a psychedelic band called the Rotary Connection and had also begun to build a solo career. By then she was married to composer/producer Richard Rudolph, and with his help she issued her debut album, Come to My Garden, in 1970. Although it was well received by critics, sales were disappointing and her career stalled for a while before she resurfaced as part of Stevie Wonder’s tour and on his Fulfillingness’ First Finale album.
Wonder returned the favor by acting as co-producer (and occasional musician) on Riperton’s second album, Perfect Angel, and this time she would strike gold. It was a solid success and “Lovin’ You” would become her signature song, but the tragic end to her story was only a few years away. Although she would issue several more albums and have some highly-charted songs like “Inside My Love” and “Lover And Friend,” her health deteriorated and she died in July of 1979. The poignant video below would be one of her last appearances.
Minnie Riperton – “Lovin’ You”
Geezer Music Club 