Loleatta Holloway, born in Chicago, Illinois, United States, on November 5, 1946, was an American gospel, soul, and disco singer who lived until 2011. She began singing gospel with the Caravans before launching her solo recording career with Aware Records, releasing her debut studio album, Loleatta, in 1973, followed by Cry to Me in 1975. The title track, “Cry to Me”, reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1976, she signed with Gold Mind Records, releasing her album Loleatta in 1977, which yielded the singles “Worn Out Broken Heart” and “Dreamin'”, the latter reaching number 3 on the US Dance Club Songs chart. Holloway released her studio album Queen of the Night in 1978, featuring the single “Only You” in duet with Bunny Sigler, followed by Loleatta Holloway in 1979. In 1980, she released her studio album Love Sensation, featuring the title track “Love Sensation”, which reached Number 1 on the US Dance Club Songs chart. Her vocals on “Love Sensation” were prominently sampled on Black Box's 1989 UK Number 1 single “Ride on Time”. In 1991, she was featured on Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch's single “Good Vibrations”, which reached Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her 1990s singles included “Stand Up!” and “The Queen's Anthem” in 1994. Holloway died of heart failure in Chicago on March 21, 2011, at age 64.
