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Artist
Gwen Guthrie
12+ albums
soulDiscofunk80sdance
about
Gwen Guthrie (July 14 (some sources say July 9) 1950 – February 3, 1999) was an American singer and songwriter, who also sang backing vocals for Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, and Madonna, among others, and who wrote songs made famous by Ben E. King, Gary Glitter and Roberta Flack. Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma and raised in Newark, New Jersey. In school, she studied classical music, and her father began teaching her piano when she was eight years old. By the early 1970s, she had joined vocal groups such as the Ebonettes and the Matchmakers, meanwhile working as an elementary school teacher. When a backup singer scheduled to sing on Aretha Franklin's 1974 single "I'm in Love" fell ill, Guthrie took the vocalist's place beside Cissy Houston; thus Guthrie would happily state that her career on record began "at the top". Guthrie soon began moonlighting as a singer of commercial jingles, sometimes with her friend Valerie Simpson (of Ashford & Simpson fame). A songwriting partnership with Patrick Grant resulted in Ben E. King's comeback single, "Supernatural Thing", and "This Time I'll Be Sweeter", covered by numerous artists. Together they wrote seven tracks on the Sister Sledge's 1975 album Circle Of Love: Cross My Heart, Protect Our Love, Love Don't You Go Through No Changes On Me, Don't You Miss Him Now, Pain Reliever, You're Much Better Off Loving Me, and Fireman. She was also the writer of Roberta Flack's "God Don't Like Ugly". As Guthrie's solo career
top songs
1
Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent
55,5442It Should Have Been You
28,7033Peanut Butter
12,1444Peanut Butter - Larry Levan Mix / Bonus Track
11,5675(They Long To Be) Close To You
9,7096Seventh Heaven
9,1697It Should Have Been You - Larry Levan Mix / Bonus Track
6,8738Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent - 12" Club Mix
6,8179Padlock
5,41610You Touched My Life
3,086
