The music world mourned the loss of Sister Sledge vocalist Joni Sledge, who was found unresponsive in her Phoenix, Ariz. home in 2017. As a member of Sister Sledge, Joni lent her voice to 10 studio albums and toured with the group up until this year.
The sisters were born into show business in Philadelphia as their father, Edwin Sledge, was a Broadway dancer. Their mother Florez, who also served as the group’s manager early in their career, was an actress.
The sisters were trained as singers by their grandmother, Viola Williams, a friend of civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. Williams was a former lyric soprano opera vocalist and under her guidance, the sisters became known across Philadelphia for their church performances. (READ MORE)
