The family of Australian-born Helen Reddy have announced the sad news of her passing in Los Angeles on Tuesday at the age of 78.
Taking to social media her daughter’s, Traci and Jordan, said of their mother, "She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and a truly formidable woman. Our hearts are broken. But we take comfort in the knowledge that her voice will live on forever."
Reddy began her career in show business at the tender age of four. In 1966 she won a talent contest on the television program Bandstand, her prize was a ticket to New York City. The rest, as they say, is history, She ended up moving to Los Angels and went on to pursue her singing career. Her single, I Don't Know How To Love Him from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, reached number 8 on the Canadian pop chart RPM. Just one year later she was signed to Capitol Records.
During the 1970s, she enjoyed international success, especially in the United States where she placed 15 singles on the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, six made the Top 10 and three reached No. 1, including her signature hit I am Woman. It was this song that won her the best female vocal pop performance Grammy in 1973.
She had a prolific career with other hits including Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady, Delta Dawn, Angie Baby and You And Me Against The World.
Reddy suffered from Addison’s disease and dementia in her later years.
May you RIP Helen Reddy.
