Minnie Riperton
November 8, 1947 – July 12, 1979
Minnie Riperton rose to fame in the 1970’s as a singer-songwriter known mostly for her 1975 single “Lovin’ You.” Riperton had a solid career as a solo artist, working with artists like Stevie Wonder and Muddy Waters and fronting a couple of differently-styled groups. She was most noted for her unique vocal quality, specifically her ability to sing quite clearly in even the highest registers. It’s unfair to call her a “one-hit wonder,” though, since the reason she likely never had another hit the size of “Lovin’ You” was her death from breast cancer at the young age of 31. Her battle with breast cancer was one of the first to be made public by a celebrity. Riperton’s daughter is Saturday Night Live alum, Maya Rudolph.
Burial
Westwood Village Memorial Park – Los Angeles, CA
Specific Location
Section D, Center Lawn; 6 rows north of the southern road, about 12 spaces from the eastern curb, just a few spaces to the east of Carl Wilson.
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