Peggi Blu

Peggi Blu
Blu in 2013
Blu in 2013
Background information
Birth namePeggi Blu
Also known asPeggy Blue, Peggi Blue, Peggy Blu
BornMay 26, 1946[1]
Lumberton, North Carolina, U.S.
Died (aged 77)
Genres
  • R&B
  • pop
  • disco
  • jazz
  • soul
OccupationsSinger
Years active1973–2024
Labels
Websitepeggiblu.com

Peggi Blu (May 26, 1946 – May 19, 2024)[2] was an American singer. She was the 1986 "Star Search Grand Champion (Female Vocalist)"[3] and the winner of the 2013 Malibu Music Awards ("Vocal Coach of the Year").[4] She is best known as an American Idol vocal coach.[5]

Early life

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Blu was born in Lumberton, North Carolina, and began singing at the age of three.[6] A relocation to New York City at the age of 14 with her uncle Bishop Walter L. Benton and his choir opened the way to her professional career. Due to constant bookings and a demand for her vocals, she was home-schooled.[citation needed]

Career

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Blu's career as a session background singer began in 1973 with Archie Shepp's "Rest Enough (Song to Mother)",[7] from his The Cry of My People album. Session work continued throughout the 1970s with artists such as Elkie Brooks, Esther Phillips and Louis Farrakhan.[8]

In the mid-1970s, Blu toured with Louise Bethune and Dee Dee Kenniebrew billed as The Crystals. In 1980, she landed her first major label contract with MCA Records.[citation needed]

In 1987, the album Blu Blowin' produced two minor R&B/hip hop hits with "Tender Moments" and "All the Way with You".[9]

In September 2002, Blu released her third album, Livin' on Love, on Expansion Records.[10] In 2006, Blu was featured on the short-lived ABC TV show Miracle Workers alongside good friend Charles Valentino.[11] In 2007, Blu did backing vocals and vocal arrangements for the soundtrack to Adam Sandler's I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.[citation needed]

In 2010, Blu recorded with Danish/German duo Cool Million on their album Back for More,[12] which led to her appearance on their 2012 album III. In 2011–2012, Blu was a vocal coach on American Idol.[13]

Death

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Blu died on May 19, 2024, at the age of 77.[14][15]

Selected appearances discography

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Main albums discography

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  • 1980 I Got Love (MCA Records)
  • 1987 Blu Blowin' (Capitol Records)
  • 2002 Livin' on Love (Expansions)

References

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  1. ^ Peggi Blu at IMDb
  2. ^ Peggi Blu at IMDb
  3. ^ Company, Johnson Publishing (March 17, 1986). Jet Magazine. pp. 40, 60. {{cite book}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ "6th Annual Malibu Music Awards". Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  5. ^ "Peggi Blu". Peggiblu.com. January 10, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  6. ^ "Legendary "Star Search" winner and soul songstress Peggi Blu dies". SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews. May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  7. ^ "Archie Shepp - The Cry Of My People". Discogs.com. October 24, 1973. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  8. ^ "Peggi Blu". Discogs.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  9. ^ "Billboard Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  10. ^ "Expansion Records". Expansionrecords.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  11. ^ "Peggi Blu News Archives". Peggiblu.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  12. ^ "Cool Million - Back for More Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  13. ^ Carpio, Anthony Clark (March 28, 2017). "Who's the best young singer in Burbank? This contest aims to find out". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  14. ^ "PEGGI BLU DIES… – Soul and Jazz and Funk". Soulandjazzandfunk.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  15. ^ "Legendary "Star Search" winner and soul songstress Peggi Blu dies". SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews. May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
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