Kathy Sledge says she was voted out of Sister Sledge, not that she left
The Story
In a new interview, singer Kathy Sledge stated that the biggest myth about her departure from Sister Sledge is that she left the group; she said she was voted out after asking to do a solo project and remain. She also discussed the political nature of disco music and the production process with Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards.
Key Facts
- Kathy Sledge said she never left Sister Sledge and was voted out when she asked to do a solo project and stay.
- She stated: “They voted me out.” She was then given an ultimatum: do the solo project or don’t.
- She noted that in a 2024 interview, Debbie Sledge said Kathy “wanted her own career, and that was fine.”
- In 2024, Debbie also claimed that when Kathy left, she started another group and did not answer calls.
- Sledge said disco was political, and the 1979 Disco Demolition in Chicago was about money, because music was segregated with R&B and pop charts until disco changed the industry’s pocketbooks.
- She recalled that during production of the “We Are Family” album, she was 15 going on 16, and she and her sisters were not allowed to write songs.
- Sledge said “We Are Family” was originally the B-side to “He’s the Greatest Dancer” until Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards intervened.
- She taught spinning for about 20 years.
Conflicting Reports
The source article presents conflicting accounts between Kathy Sledge and Debbie Sledge regarding Kathy’s departure from the group. Kathy says she was voted out; Debbie said Kathy wanted her own career and that Kathy started another group without contacting them.
Still Unclear
No open questions identified in the source article.
Misconceptions
The article directly addresses the misconception that Kathy Sledge voluntarily left Sister Sledge. She states that she was voted out when she asked to do a solo project while staying in the group.
Key Figures
- Kathy Sledge – singer, former member of Sister Sledge
- Debbie Sledge – sister, member of Sister Sledge
- Nile Rodgers – producer (Chic)
- Bernard Edwards – producer (Chic)
- Denise Rich – songwriter of “Frankie”
- Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis – producers for Sledge’s solo project
- Luther Vandross – background singer on some recordings
Sources: The Guardian
