| Barbara Ingram | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Barbara Ingram |
| Also known as | Barbie |
| Born | November 25, 1947 Camden, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Origin | Camden, New Jersey |
| Died | October 20, 1994 (aged 46) Camden, New Jersey, U.S.A. |
| Genres | R&B, soul, funk, quiet storm, funk rock, adult contemporary |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, composer, dancer, musician |
| Instruments | Piano, keyboard, vocals |
| Years active | 1965–1994 |
| Labels | Various |
| Associated acts | Lou Rawls, Eddie Kendricks, Major Harris, The Spinners, Cindy Williams, Phyllis Hyman, Linda Creed, The Salsoul Orchestra, Dick Jensen, Claudja Barry, Elkie Brooks, John Davis, Philippé Wynne, Loleatta Holloway, Sister Sledge, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Donna Summer |
Barbara Jane Ingram (November 25, 1947–October 8, 1994) was an American R&B singer-songwriter, who was active throughout the early 1970s until the mid-late 1980s, enjoying modest success a backup singer for almost two decades.
Contents |
In 1967, Ingram had formed a vocal trio with her cousins Carla Benson and Evette Benton, alternating with group names such as: The Sweethearts of Sigma, The Philadelphia Angels, The Sweeties or The Sweethearts. Benton, Benson and Ingram can be heard in many Contemporary R&B/Disco albums.
In 1971, she debuted for background vocals alongside in-house background singer Linda Creed for R&B vocal group, The Stylistics eponymous album, including their successor album, Rockin' Roll Baby in 1973.
In the middle quarter of 1973, and onto early 1974, she appeared on Hawaiian based soul singer Dick Jensen on his debut album, Dick Jensen, then appearing on sextet R&B–Soul vocal band Ecstasy, Passion & Pain's self-titled debut album.
Through the decade of the 1970s, Ingram and her cousin Carla Benson and friend Evette Benton comprised the in-house backup group for Philadelphia International Records, Thom Bell, as well acts that came through to record in the closely related studio Sigma Sound that was a hit factory as much as Motown's Studio A. The group was dubbed "The Sweethearts of Sigma" or just "The Sweeties" by Patti Labelle whom they often sang for on record and in live performances. They were as integral to the Philly sound as The Andantes were to Motown, and just as in demand in their day.
It was once said that Ingram was going to write songs for Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Jean Terrell, and other artists, but the projects never came to fruition.
Barbara Ingram was the female voice on the Spinners' 1975 hit "Games People Play". In 1976 Ingram sang lead vocals on the album The Funk Is In Our Music for the Ingram Kingdom, a family group that included her five brothers James [Jimmy], Norman [Butch], William [Billy], Robert [Timmy] and John [Johnny]. Switching their name to 'Ingram' in 1977, Barbara continued to contribute background vocals to the groups next three albums released 1977-1984, That's All!, Would You Like To Fly and Night Stalkers. Ingram is pictured on the album jackets of their first and fourth albums.
Throughout the years, from 1975 until 1985 she sung backup for The Salsoul Orchestra, Grace Jones, Cat Stevens, The Spinners, Eddie Kendricks, Major Harris, Cindy Williams, Phyllis Hyman, Double Exposure, Billy Paul, Loleatta Holloway, Evelyn King, Philippé Wynne, Dick Jensen, Claudja Barry, Elkie Brooks, John Davis, Lou Rawls, Brenda Mitchell, The Trammps, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Sister Sledge, among others for their albums.
Ingram continued to sing live concert shows from 1980 until 1986, then from 1988 until 1992.
Ingram was married to songwriter/producer Sherman Marshall, who wrote famous 1970s hits such as "Then Came You" by the Spinners and "Lady Love" by Lou Rawls. Ingram also had a daughter named Denene. Both her husband and daughter preceded her in death. On October 20, 1994, Barbara Ingram died at the age of 46, in Camden, New Jersey. The funeral was held in her hometown of Camden, New Jersey. The cause of Ingram's death is unknown; it has been speculated that her death was due to complications from lupus, but this is unconfirmed.