(The Emotions, September 1977 Pamela Hutchinson, center: Michael Putland/Getty Images)
Pamela Hutchinson, singer from the famed R&B group The Emotions, has died at the age of 61, according to a post on the band’s official Facebook page Sunday.
The Emotions were comprised of Hutchinson and her sisters, Wanda Hutchinson-Vaughn, Jeanette Hutchinson-Hawes and Sheila Hutchinson-Witt. The family act got its start in Chicago, IL as the gospel group the Hutchinson Sunbeams before transitioning to disco/R&B.
“Pam succumbed to health challenges that she’d been battling for several years,” the post said. “Now our beautiful sister will sing amongst the angels in heaven in perfect peace.”
The Emotions’ two biggest hits were the R&B/disco classics “Best of My Love” and “Boogie Wonderland,” the latter of which they collaborated with Earth, Wind & Fire. Other hit singles include “Don’t Ask My Neighbors,” “I Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love,” “You’re the Best” and “Turn it Out.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MePLNcOS8ZA
“Best of My Love” earned The Emotions the 1978 Grammy award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus while “Boogie Wonderland” earned them a nomination for Best Disco Recording in 1980.
VH1 proclaimed The Emotions one of the 18 most influential girl groups of all time for inspiring acts such as En Vogue, Jade, Erykah Badu, Fantasia and others. The group’s music has also been sampled by artists like Tupac Shakur, Salt n Pepa, Janet Jackson, Toni Braxton, and most famously by Mariah Carey when she sampled “Best of My Love” for her 1991 track “Emotions.”
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Incredible voice. The group are very aptly named. This music-their music moves you beyond words. Thank you for your voice Pamela Hutchinson , May God bless and keep you.Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends x
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[…] R.I.P. Pamela Hutchinson, 61, Grammy Award-Winning R&B Singer from The Emotions […]