Gimmie Dat Throwback - Minnie Riperton - Memory Lane

Minnie Julia Riperton (November 8, 1947 – July 12, 1979) was an American singer-songwriter best known for her vocal range of five-and-a-half...

Minnie Julia Riperton (November 8, 1947 – July 12, 1979) was an American singer-songwriter best known for her vocal range of five-and-a-half octaves and her 1975 single "Lovin' You". She was married to songwriter and music producer Richard Rudolph from 1972 until her death in the summer of 1979. They had two children - music engineer Marc Rudolph and actress/comedienne Maya Rudolph.



If there was a track that would be described as her “goin’ home” song, no doubt it was “Memory Lane” – Minnie’s reflection of her past while knowing what indeed was in the future. "Memory Lane" was a hit and was arguably Riperton's greatest work. Riperton incorporated the sadness of the ending of a relationship while suddenly shifting to cries of "I don't want to go" and "save me." It is thought that "Memory Lane" was her farewell to her family and to the world.