R.I.P. Pamela Hutchinson, 61, Grammy Award-Winning R&B Singer from The Emotions

(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.