Peggi Blu

American singer (1946/1947–2024)

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R&B
pop
disco
jazz
soul

OccupationsSingerYears active1973–2024Labels

MCA
Capitol
Expansion

Websitepeggiblu.com

Musical artist

Peggi Blu (1946/1947 – May 19, 2024) was an American singer. She was the 1986 "Star Search Grand Champion (Female Vocalist)"^[1] and the winner of the 2013 Malibu Music Awards ("Vocal Coach of the Year").^[2] She is best known as an American Idol vocal coach.^[3]

Early life

Blu was born in Lumberton, North Carolina, and began singing at the age of three.^[4] A relocation to New York City at the age of 14 with her uncle Bishop Walter L. Benton and his choir opened the way to her professional career. Due to constant bookings and a demand for her vocals, she was home-schooled.

Career

Blu's career as a session background singer began in 1973 with Archie Shepp's "Rest Enough (Song to Mother)",^[5] from his The Cry of My People album. Session work continued throughout the 1970s with artists such as Elkie Brooks, Esther Phillips and Louis Farrakhan.^[6]

In the mid-1970s, Blu toured with Louise Bethune and Dee Dee Kenniebrew billed as The Crystals.^{[citation needed]}

In 1980, she landed her first major label contract with MCA Records.^{[citation needed]}

In 1987, the album Blu Blowin' produced two minor R&B/hip hop hits with "Tender Moments" and "All the Way with You".^[7]

In September 2002, Blu released her third album, Livin' on Love, on Expansion Records.^[8] In 2006, Blu was featured on the short-lived ABC TV show Miracle Workers alongside good friend Charles Valentino.^[9] In 2007, Blu did backing vocals and vocal arrangements for the soundtrack to Adam Sandler's I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.^{[citation needed]}

In 2010, Blu recorded with Danish/German duo Cool Million on their album Back for More,^[10] which led to her appearance on their 2012 album III. In 2011–2012, Blu was a judge and vocal coach on American Idol.^[11]

Death

Blu died on May 19, 2024, at the age of 77.^[12]^[13]

Selected appearances discography

1973 Archie Schepp – The Cry of My People
1974 Lou Courtney – I'm in Need of Love
1976 Esther Phillips w/Beck – For All We Know
1977 Elkie Brooks – Two Days Away
1980 Minister Louis Farrakhan - Heed the Call Y'all
1980 Various – Fame (Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
1982 Stephanie Mills – Tantalizingly Hot
1983 The Weather Girls – Success
1983 Stephanie Mills – Merciless
1985 Bob Dylan – Empire Burlesque
1985 Robin Clark - Surrender
1986 Various – Star Search the Winners Album
1986 Brian Setzer – The Knife Feels Like Justice
1986 Bob Dylan – Knocked Out Loaded
1987 Ronee Martin – Sensation
1988 Barbra Streisand – Till I Loved You
1988 Bob Dylan – Down in the Groove
1989 The Manhattans – Sweet Talk
1989 Quincy Jones - Back on the Block
1989 Tracy Chapman – Crossroads
1989 Various – Urban Cruising (Duet w/Bert Robinson)
1989 Bianca – Forever
1990 Thelma Houston – Throw You Down
1990 Kylie Minogue – Rhythm of Love
1990 Laura Branigan – Laura Branigan
1992 Leonard Cohen – The Future
1992 Various - Expansions Soul Sauce Vol. 1 ("Love Is the Magic")
1993 Young MC – What's the Flavor?
1993 Sonya Barry – The World Is Like a Shadow
1995 Melissa Manchester – If My Heart Had Wings
1996 Christopher Young – Set It Off (Original Motion Picture Score)
1999 Various – Vibrafinger
2002 Young MC – Engage the Enzyme
2004 Ron Dante – Saturday Night Blast
2010 Various - Christmas at Sedsoul ("The Christmas Song")
2010 Cool Million – Back For More ("I See You")
2012 Cool Million – III ("When We Loved & What About You")
2021 Take Me Higher – Filip Grönlund ft. Peggi Blu

Main albums discography

1980 I Got Love (MCA Records)
1987 Blu Blowin' (Capitol Records)
2002 Livin' on Love (Expansions)

References

^ Company, Johnson Publishing (March 17, 1986). Jet Magazine. pp. 40, 60.
^ "6th Annual Malibu Music Awards". Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
^ "Peggi Blu". Peggiblu.com. January 10, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
^ "Legendary "Star Search" winner and soul songstress Peggi Blu dies". SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews. May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
^ "Archie Shepp - The Cry Of My People". Discogs.com. October 24, 1973. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
^ "Peggi Blu". Discogs.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
^ "Billboard Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
^ "Expansion Records". Expansionrecords.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
^ "Peggi Blu News Archives". Peggiblu.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
^ "Cool Million - Back for More Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
^ Carpio, Anthony Clark (March 28, 2017). "Who's the best young singer in Burbank? This contest aims to find out". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
^ "PEGGI BLU DIES… – Soul and Jazz and Funk". Soulandjazzandfunk.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
^ "Legendary "Star Search" winner and soul songstress Peggi Blu dies". SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews. May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.