One of the voices that solidified the place of R&B girl groups in modern music died Friday.
Pamela Hutchinson, one-third of the sister singing group The Emotions, died Sept. 18 at age 61 after battling ongoing health issues, according to a message on the band’s Facebook page.
Hutchinson, the youngest sister in the family group, joined the band in 1977. The Chicago-based group started out in gospel but eventually won international acclaim and a Grammy Award with its R&B hit “The Best of My Love.”
The Emotions consisted of different members throughout the years, beginning with sisters Wanda, Sheila and Jeanette. Pamela joined the group just in time for 1977′s ″Rejoice," which Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire helped write.
In the Facebook post about Hutchinson, her sisters said she succumbed to health challenges she had been “battling for several years.”
“Now our beautiful sister will sing amongst the angels in heaven in perfect peace. During this time, the family kindly asks for fans and friends to respect our privacy. We appreciate all kind words, photos, and videos you may want to post for our beloved Pamela and of course your loving prayers. A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. We love you, Pamela!”
In addition to their main breakout hit, Hutchinson and The Emotions produced hits including “So I Can Love You,” which rose to No. 43 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. Another single titled “The Best Part Of A Love Affair” rose to No. 27 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart. The group was named by VH1 as one of the 18 most influential girl groups of all time, influencing acts like En Vogue, Lalah Hathaway, Erykah Badu and Anita Baker. Rappers also used their melodic, soulful vocals as samples in modern songs, including tracks by 50 Cent, Kanye West and Tribe Called Quest.
Some fans took to social media to pay tribute to Hutchinson.
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