Barbara Ingram
| Barbara Ingram | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Barbara Ingram |
| Also known as | Barbie |
| Born |
November 25, 1947 Camden, New Jersey, United States |
| Origin | Camden, New Jersey |
| Died |
October 20, 1994 (aged 46) Camden, New Jersey, United States |
| Genres | R&B, soul, funk, funk rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, composer, dancer, musician |
| Instruments | Piano, keyboard, vocals |
| Years active | 1965–1994 |
| Labels | Various |
| Associated acts | Lou Rawls, Eddie Kendricks, Major Harris, The Spinners, Cindy Williams, Phyllis Hyman, Linda Creed, The Salsoul Orchestra, Dick Jensen, Claudja Barry, Elkie Brooks, John Davis, Philippé Wynne, Loleatta Holloway, Sister Sledge, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Phyllis Hyman, Thelma Houston |
Barbara Jane Ingram (November 25, 1947 – October 20, 1994) was an American R&B singer and songwriter who was active throughout the early 1970s until the mid-late 1980s, enjoying modest success a backup singer for almost two decades.
Career
In 1972, Ingram formed a vocal trio with her cousin Carla Benson and Benson's close friend, Evette Benton, alternating with group names such as: The Sweethearts of Sigma, The Philadelphia Angels, The Sweeties or The Sweethearts. Benton, Benson and Ingram can be heard in many Contemporary R&B/Disco albums.[1]
In 1971, she debuted for background vocals alongside songwriter Linda Creed for R&B vocal group, The Stylistics eponymous album, including their successor album, Rockin' Roll Baby in 1973.
In the middle quarter of 1973, and onto early 1974, she appeared on Hawaiian based soul singer Dick Jensen on his debut album, Dick Jensen, then appearing on sextet R&B–Soul vocal band Ecstasy, Passion & Pain's self-titled debut album.
Through the decade of the 1970s, Ingram, with Benson and Benton, comprised the in-house backup group for Philadelphia International Records, Thom Bell, as well acts that came through to record in the closely related studio Sigma Sound Studios.
Later life
In 1976 Ingram sang lead vocals on the album The Funk Is In Our Music for the Ingram Kingdom, a family group that included her five brothers James [Jimmy], Norman [Butch], William [Billy], Robert [Timmy] and John [Johnny]. Switching their name to 'Ingram' in 1977, Barbara continued to contribute background vocals to the group's next three albums released 1977-1984, That's All!, Would You Like To Fly and Night Stalkers. Ingram is pictured on their first album "Ingram Kingdom."
Throughout the years, from 1975 until 1985 she sang backup for The Salsoul Orchestra, Grace Jones, Cat Stevens, The Spinners, Eddie Kendricks, Major Harris, Cindy Williams, Phyllis Hyman, Double Exposure, Billy Paul, Loleatta Holloway, Evelyn King, Philippé Wynne, Dick Jensen, Claudja Barry, Elkie Brooks, John Davis, Lou Rawls, Brenda Mitchell, The Trammps, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Sister Sledge, among others for their albums.
Ingram continued to sing live concert shows from 1980 until 1986, then from 1988 until 1992.
Personal life and death
Ingram was married to songwriter/producer Sherman Marshall, who wrote famous 1970s hits such as "Then Came You" by the Spinners and "Lady Love" by Lou Rawls. Ingram also had a daughter named Denene.
On October 20, 1994, Barbara Ingram died at the age of 46, in Camden, New Jersey. According to the book, A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul by John A. Jackson, Ingram suffered from both lupus, and cancer. The funeral was held in her hometown of Camden. Her husband and daughter both preceded her in death.[2]
References
External links
- The Sweethearts of Sigma
- An interview with Carla Benson at Soul Express in December 2014
- The Sweethearts Of Sigma Tribute Page
- discogs.com
Find A Grave Barbara Jane Ingram Marshall Find A Grave Memorial# 99017771 http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=99017771