Roberta Kelly
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Roberta Kelly (born November 23, 1942, Los Angeles, California, United States) is an African American singer, who scored three hits on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart between 1976 and 1978. Her biggest hit, "Trouble-Maker", spent two weeks at #1 on that chart.
From 1975 until 1983, she also performed as a backing vocalist with Thelma Houston, and on a number of Donna Summer's albums.
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Career
Prior to releases in the US through composer Giorgio Moroder's Oasis record label during the 1970s, Kelly recorded a single in Germany entitled "Kung Fu Is Back Again" (1974), released on Atlantic and produced by the songwriter-producer Pete Bellotte alongside Moroder.
She released the single "Love Power" a cover version of a 1967 hit for The Sandpepples, written by Teddy Vann, and later made famous as part of the repertoire of Luther Vandross. She also released the album, This is Roberta Kelly (1975). In April 1976, Kelly turned to disco with the single "Trouble-Maker" and released an album by the same name. The album contained five tracks, including an extended version of "Love Power".
In 1977, she released Zodiac Lady, a controversial album that Casablanca Records, during the disco heyday, refused at first to release. Imports from Italy swamped the international dance floors, creating a hit for the title track and songs such as "Love Sign". This album spawned a twelve-inch single, "Zodiacs," which had major club and radio play. "Funky Stardust" was released from that album, in addition to "Zodiacs" itself. "Zodiacs" peaked at #24 in the US Hot Dance/Club Play chart in 1977, and at #44 in the UK Singles Chart in 1978. "Love Sign" was released as a single in Italy only. Both "Trouble-Maker" and "Zodiac Lady" were produced by Moroder and Bellotte.
The album Gettin' The Spirit followed in March 1978. Produced by Giorgio Moroder and Bob Esty, it was an album consisting of gospel songs, performed in the disco style. The album featured dance versions of the Edwin Hawkins penned, "Oh Happy Day" and "To My Father's House," with both songs released on one single. "Gettin' the Spirit" was also released with a disco version of "My Sweet Lord," on the b-side. It peaked at #9 in the US Hot Dance/Club Play chart in 1978.
When Pope John Paul II succeeded John Paul I in 1979, Kelly released the single "John Paul II", The single never made it onto an album, but the "Tribute to Love" did in the late 1980 release, Roots Can Be Anywhere. By this time, Kelly was no longer with Casablanca Records. Two singles were released: "Kabacka Shaka" and "Roots Can Be Anywhere", but the album had limited success. It was available with two different covers and was produced by Michael Holm.
In 1981, Kelly released the album Tell Me through Baby Records in Italy, featuring "Patty Cake", produced by Jürgen Koppers. After that, Kelly's next release was not until 1995, when she issued The Sound of Color and "Jubilee in Germany," celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.
During the summer of 2008, Kelly resurfaced with the single, "America (The Sound of Colour Realized)."
Discography
Albums
- This Is Roberta Kelly (1975)
- Trouble-Maker (1976)
- Zodiac Lady (1977)
- Gettin' the Spirit (1978)
- Roots Can Be Anywhere (1980)
- Tell Me (1981)
Singles
- "Kung Fu Is Back Again" (1974)
- "Love Power" (1975)
- "Trouble-Maker" (1976)
- "Zodiacs" (1977)
- "Gettin' the Spirit" (1978)
- "John Paul II" (1979)
- "Roots Can Be Anywhere" (1980)
- "Patty Cake" (1981)
- "America (The Sound of Colour Realized)" (2008)
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
