Tony Cowell
The disco hits of Sister Sledge, one of the most successful female groups of the 70s and 80s, still fill dancefloors the world over, with tracks like We Are Family, He’s The Greatest Dancer and Lost In Music. Debbie, 62, one of the Philadelphia-born siblings who formed the group with sisters Kathy, Kim and Joni, talks to best about faith and music, following the recent sad loss of Joni, aged 60… When your big hit We
Are Family took off, you toured constantly for two years. How did you cope? I was lucky, because I was pregnant at the time with my daughter, Camille, so I got some time off. All my sisters were skinny and I was the big one. But it was exhausting, because nobody had done a tour of that length before. But the fans were amazing – they just kept on coming.
How important was that song for you?
So important – it was about us, but also there was a message in there about the importance of family. It became an anthem everyone in the clubs just recognised and could relate to. We were lucky in that we had Nile Rodgers [of Chic] write and produce our records at the time – and he was such a legend.
Disco has never really gone away. What is it that makes it so popular?
I think disco allows people to have a place to release some tension and have some fun. It’s a happy place where people get physical. It’s also about friendship; if you watch people on the dance floor they are always happy, and that way it’s easier to make friends. Your parents were both in showbiz, but it was your grandmother who taught you to sing, wasn’t it? Yes. As young girls she took us to church, she gave us vocal lessons – she was my best friend, and she is still with me now, in my heart. Back then, we had fun imitating our favourite artists such as The Supremes. Our grandmother was an opera singer and taught us how to sing and to appreciate all kinds of music. Our mother was a jazz fan and we grew up in a household full of music, so forming a group came naturally.
Is your faith still important to you?
It’s very important to me. It’s the key to my whole being. My lifestyle, my outlook on life. I’m a complete optimist, because I believe God is in complete control. And right now I need him in my life.
How different was it in those days, growing up in Philadelphia?
My parents separated when I was five, but I do remember when they were still together. My dad was very attentive, always playing games with us. But he was under great pressure financially. He was a dancer once, he had to do odd jobs to keep the family together – but it didn’t last.
Do you get along as sisters?
Yes – but we have challenges.
‘We asked President Bill Clinton if he’d join us for We Are Family’
We are one big family, but we also all have our own families now, so sometimes it’s hard for us all to meet on schedule. Sometimes I find myself getting stressed about it, but I’m getting help with that now.
Didn’t you once sing with then US President Bill Clinton?
Yes. We were invited to sing at the Christmas party at the White House in 2000. We asked President Bill Clinton, if he’d join us on stage for We Are Family and he said, ‘I’ll come up if Hillary and Chelsea come up.’ Hillary was very bold and Chelsea was shy. But President Clinton was singing the song at the top of his lungs! We were so thrilled to be there and it was such an honour. It was humbling.
And you met Nelson Mandela, didn’t you?
Actually, it was my sister, Joni, who went to meet him. She was overawed by him. I remember her telling me how she felt so much strength coming from him. He was such a giant personality. He had this huge effect on her. It was a moment in her life that she never forgot.
You recently performed at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London as a solo artist. Will you do more?
Yes, definitely. I want to continue with my solo jazz career because I find it so rewarding, but I will also continue to perform as Sister Sledge.
Sister Sledge performed on The X Factor last year. Did you enjoy that?
We loved doing that show and we are big fans of The X Factor – but I am also a big fan of Nicole [Scherzinger]. I think she is amazing.
What would you say has been the highlight of your career?
That’s difficult. I don’t think it’s about meeting world leaders or celebrities. I think, for me, it’s been just how long we have lasted as a group. And now the challenge ahead is how long we can keep going! Sister Sledge will continue to perform as a duo and play Rewind Festival North, Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield, on Saturday 5 August. rewindfestival.com