Soul Sister

DEE DEE WARWICK
September 25, 1945 - October 19, 2008

They just keep going, it seems...

Dee Dee Warwick will forever be known as "Dionne's sister"; but as Dionne herself often stated, "Dee Dee is the singer in the family," and as her small but fiercely loyal following will tell you, Dee Dee was one righteous soul diva. In fact, she probably would have been far more successful, if her name and appearance hadn't been so similar to that of her sister's.

Dee Dee also had the bad luck to record several songs which then went on to become huge hits for others. "You're No Good" was first issued by Dee Dee on an obscure little label; it was promptly covered by Chicago songstress Betty Everett, on the more widely-distributed Vee-Jay imprint, and became a major R&B hit. Then, in 1975, Linda Ronstadt did a note-for-note cover of Betty's version and took it to #1 on the pop charts! Similarly, Dee Dee recorded the first version of "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me," and scored some mild R&B action. Madeline Bell, an American gospel singer based out of England, covered it and took it to the pop Top 40. Then, a year later, it was appropriated by Diana Ross and the Supremes and The Temptations for their duet album, and became a huge #1 crossover smash.

As it happened, Dee Dee may never have recorded the One Big Song which made her a household name, but her long string of soulful sides for various labels in the 1960's and 1970's are beloved by fans and prized by collectors. I have a special fondness for Dee Dee; when I was around 20, I began corresponding with British-born music writer David Nathan -- a name well-known to anyone who is a serious fan of classic R&B. David loves his divas, and none more so than the sisters Warwick. He was kind enough to compile 2 CD's of rare Dee Dee singles for me, at a time when the technology was in its infancy. It was a painstaking process to transfer vinyl to computer to CD, and Napster-esque "file sharing" was all but unheard of. So I was thrilled beyond belief when I received this music; I was touched by David's generosity, and blown away by Dee Dee's soulful voice.

Dee Dee had been in poor health in recent years, but her passing still comes as a sad surprise. Our thoughts are with the entire Warwick family at this difficult time. We'll miss you, Miss Dee Dee!