"Don't Leave Me This Way" was such a massive hit in 1977,I think it overshadowed everything else she did.That's one of the major disco hits....that song was HUGE! I can't name too many other hits by her.I do remember in 1984,she released a Jam and Lewis-produced album that got some attention.Interestingly,she filmed a 3-song video/mini-movie from that album,which was unheard of at the time.It featured these three songs...

"You Used To Hold Me So Tight" (the first single)
"Fantasy And Heartbreak"
I'd Rather Spend The Bad Times With You (Than Spend The Good Times With Someone New"

It looked like she was on her way to major superstardom with that album,but it didn't become a big hit.

I don't know but I met her in the 90's at this AIDS event here. I would post a pic but my weave was out control that night...

Rhondab said:

I`m sure you still looked pretty

SunnySkies said:

awwwww...that's sweet today...I like...interesting...

Rhondab said:

She has recorded several beautiful songs, both disco and soulful ballads.

SoulAlive said:

Oooh I wish I could see that movie. I have all three singles from that lp on 12" but I didnt know Fantasy & Heartbreak was released as a single too. I Guess It Must Be Love is a hot hot hot 6 minute opus...and the instrumental goes on for 9 minutes.

paisleypark4 said:

I didn't know Jam and Lewis worked with her. It's not on your J+L collection you compiled is it??

Rhondab said:

Ok...I was talking to someone when I typed this...


I meant to say....That's sweet to SAY....I look..interesting....


WOW.....

Rhondab said:

That makes more sense

I love that song!!! Couldn't stop playing it awhile back

Rhondab said:

SoulAlive said:

I still remember her getting covearge in the young black magazines then...like Right On! or Black Beat (I can't remember which). ...in the 90's though she did go on to experiment with Gospel though...one of my FAVORITE cds from that time was a collaboration between her, Phoebe Snow, CeCe Peniston, Albertina Walker and a Lois somebody whose name I can't remember ---and the group was called "Sisters Of Glory". The did a few gigs outside too and sounded wonderful together

the I just got this group mixed up with TBN show edit
[Edited 3/21/08 9:21am]

Rhondab said:

I was trying to make sense out of what you typed...

like, that's sweet (to hear) today... I like (what you said)... interesting (comment)

Cinnie said:

I swear am I not high....I SWEAR...

Cinnie said:

yup

Rhondab said:

did you just read that



OMGOSHHHHH


what is wrong with me.


Thelma is cursin' me.

SoulAlive said:

What SoulAlive said.

paisleypark4 said:

I'll have to check back.. maybe I didn't realize it was the "Don't Leave Me This Way" singer

I couldn't stop playing this last year! It turns out we have the record single of it too, I was so happy!

If I'm not mistaken, Touch Me In The Morning was originally for her but was snatched up by Berry for Diana Ross 2 sing @ the last minute.

Come to think of it, wasn't it Thelma who introduced Michael Masser to Berry Gordy(the song's producer/writer who went on to write Mahogany's theme and produce other RnB's legendary acts)

"Why wasn't she bigger?"

Bad promotion, disco and Berry Gordy.

Need I say more?

Harlepolis said:

I always thought Don't Leave Me This Way reminded me of Love Hangover and thought that everyone was Diana-inspired or something around that time.

alphastreet said:

"Don't Leave Me This Way" and "Love Hangover" are very similiar.Both songs start off like a ballad,then quickly turn into a funky disco jam,with similiar basslines.Both songs were also recorded by other artists before Diana and Themla got their hands on it.

SoulAlive said:

interesting, I never knew that, although I'm not very surprised, as the jackson 5 did a LOT of covers that introduced me to artists from that time eg. sly & the family stone

alphastreet said:

"Don't Leave Me This Way" was originally recorded by Harold Melvin and The Bluenotes.It appears on their 1975 album 'Wake Up Everybody'.

"Love Hangover" was recorded by The Fifth Dimension,then Sylvester before Diana Ross recorded her version in 1976.

Did you know she recorded "Do you know where you`re going to" before Diana Ross?

That's an ass shaker right there.