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Vesta Williams

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Mary Vesta Williams (December 1, 1957 – September 22, 2011)[2] was an American singer-songwriter, who performed across genres such as soul, funk, R&B, Quiet storm, jazz soul and Urban Contemporary. Originally credited as Vesta Williams, she was simply known as Vesta beginning in the 1990s.[3] She was known for her four–octave vocal range.[4][5] She once sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" for the Los Angeles Lakers game opener using all four of those octaves.

Vesta Williams
Background information
Birth nameMary Vesta Williams[1]
Born(1957-12-01)December 1, 1957
Coshocton, Ohio, U.S.[1]
DiedSeptember 22, 2011(2011-09-22) (aged 53)
El Segundo, California, U.S.[1]
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer–songwriter
  • actress
InstrumentVocals
Years active1985–2011
Labels

Although Williams never had any albums certified gold nor any top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, she scored six top 10 hits on the United States Billboard R&B chart from the mid–1980s to the early–1990s that included "Once Bitten, Twice Shy"[3] (1986), "Sweet Sweet Love" (1988), "Special" (1991), and her 1989 single and signature song,[6] "Congratulations".[7]

Biography

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Born in Coshocton, Ohio, United States,[1][3] Williams' father was a disc jockey. Her family moved from Ohio to Los Angeles in the 1960s. While there, Williams and her three sisters, Margaret, Marte and Marlena, appeared on the television show Jack and Jill as "The Williams Sisters".<[3] Later, she returned to Ohio but decided to go back to Los Angeles in order to launch a solo career.[3] Former Fifth Dimension member Ron Townson put Williams in his band Wild Honey.[3]

Following that stint, Williams found work as a backup singer, working with artists such as Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Sting, Stephanie Mills, Anita Baker and Gordon Lightfoot. Williams sang on the original version of Joe Sample's "The Survivor",[3] and met producer David Crawford while working with his group Klique. After doing session work, she landed a recording contract with A&M Records and her debut album, Vesta, was released in 1986.[3] The album featured her first top 10 R&B hit "Once Bitten, Twice Shy", which became her only UK hit and performed modestly on the US R&B charts.[3]

Her 1988 release, Vesta 4 U, produced the top 10 R&B hits "Sweet Sweet Love", "4 U", and "Congratulations", with the latter peaking at #55 on the Hot 100 chart and #5 on the R&B chart.[8] "Congratulations" was Vesta's only single to enter the Hot 100 chart. Her only album to appear on the US Billboard 200, peaking at No. 131. There were persistent rumors that the song was inspired by the dissolution of her long-time relationship with Bruce Willis and that Demi Moore was directly responsible for ending it. In 1991, Williams released her third album entitled Special, with the title track as a single. "Special" became her highest-charting song on the R&B chart at #2, but sales of the album were less than that of Vesta 4 U. Her next album, 1993's Everything-N-More, produced only a minor R&B hit, "Always".[9]

In 1989, Polygram Records purchased A&M Records. Williams' 1998 album Relationships was released under the Polygram name, and it became a modest seller, appearing on the R&B charts. Following the release of Relationships, A&M/Polygram did not renew her contract. Williams continued to work as a session singer, landing spots on albums by such artists as Phil Perry, Howard Hewett, and George Duke. Her voice could be heard by radio listeners in jingles for advertisers that included McDonald's, Nike, Baskin-Robbins, Diet Coke, Revlon and Exxon.[10] That same year, she performed the opening theme to the ABC miniseries, The Women of Brewster Place.[11]

Williams portrayed a saloon singer in the 1993 film Posse, directed by Mario Van Peebles.[12] During this time period she had a R&B minor hit "Always" in 1993.[13] Williams had a recurring role as "Monica", Jackée Harry's best friend, in the television series Sister, Sister in the 1998–99 season. Her singing voice is featured in the theme song of UPN's Malcolm and Eddie.[14]

In 2000, Polygram released a compilation album, featuring songs from Williams and former A&M artist CeCe Peniston. In 2007, Williams released an album of R&B songs on Shanachie Records entitled Distant Lover. Produced by Chris "Big Dog" Davis, Distant Lover was a cover album featuring songs originally recorded by Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Sade, and Deniece Williams. Her last recording was the song "Dedicated," released on 7 December 2010 on Stimuli Music.[15]

By 2002, Williams had become a radio personality, and was co-hosting a morning show on KRNB in Dallas/Fort Worth.[16] In recent years, Williams had lost 100 pounds, going from size 26 to size 6.[17] It was at this time that Williams became an advocate for the prevention of childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes.[18]

Her final performance occurred on September 17, 2011, in Portsmouth, Virginia, at the Autumn Jazz Explosion, just five days before her death.[14]

She was scheduled to perform at the 21st annual "DIVAS Simply Singing!" in Los Angeles on October 22, 2011. Shanice performed "Congratulations" during the show as a tribute to Williams. There was also a tribute to the late singer Teena Marie.[19] Williams was taping an episode of TV One's Unsung at the time of her death; it aired on January 2, 2012.[20]

Death

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On September 22, 2011, Williams was found dead in a hotel room in El Segundo, California, a suburb of Los Angeles.[1][21] According to the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office, she was found dead at 6:15 p.m. (PDT), A spokesperson for the coroner's office stated that the autopsy did not say the cause of death. In late December 2011, the family released this statement through singer/producer Norwood Young, reporting her official cause of death: "Following three months of intensive coroner's autopsy and toxicology research, it has been definitively determined that the cause of death for our beloved Vesta was 'natural death' from 'hypertensive heart disease,'" adding: "An enlarged heart can remain undetected for many years."[22][23][24]

Vesta Williams was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) on October 4, 2011, following a memorial service at West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles, California.[25] Attendees included Wanda Dee, singer Peggi Blu, Freda Payne, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine, Kellita Smith, Norwood Young, Michael Collier, Miki Howard, Karel Bouley, Kiki Shepard, Jackée Harry, Luenell, and renowned blues singer Linda Hopkins. A private reception was held following the interment. [26]

She is survived by her mother, daughter, three sisters, a brother, and three grandchildren.[27]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Title Peak chart positions Record Label
US
[28] 		US
R&B
[28] 		US
Heat
[29] 		NLD
[30]
1986 Vesta — 43 — 67 A&M
1988 Vesta 4 U 131 26 — —
1991 Special — 15 — —
1993 Everything-N-More — 65 — —
1998 Relationships — 55 26 — i.e. music
2007 Distant Lover — — — — Shanachie
2013 Seven — — — — Bronx Bridge
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

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Singles

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Year Title Peak chart positions
US
[31] 		US
R&B
[8] 		US
A. R&B
[32] 		US
Dan
[31] 		IRE
[33] 		NLD
[30] 		NZ
[34] 		UK
[35]
1986 "Once Bitten Twice Shy" — 8 — — 21 20 42 14
1987 "Something About You" — 46 — 21 — — — —
"Don't Blow a Good Thing" — 17 — 5 — — — 89
"Suddenly It's Magic" — — — — — — — 88
"You Make Me Want To (Love Again)" — 90 — — — — — —
1988 "Sweet, Sweet Love" — 4 — — — — — —
1989 "4 U" — 9 — — — — — —
"Congratulations" 55 5 — — — — — —
"How You Feel" — 70 — — — — — —
1990 "I'll Be Good to You" (with Najee) — 9 — — — — — —
1991 "Special" — 2 — — — — — —
"Do Ya" — 43 — — — — — —
1993 "Always" — 44 27 — — — — —
1998 "You Still Do It" — — 31 — — — — —
"Somebody for Me" — — 9 — — — — —
2010 "Dedicated" — — — — — — — —
2013 "Better Days" — — 35 — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Music videos

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  • "Once Bitten Twice Shy" (1986)
  • "Something About You" (1987)
  • "Don't Blow a Good Thing" (1987)
  • "Sweet Sweet Love" (1988)
  • "4 U" (1989)
  • "Congratulations" (1989)
  • "How You Feel" (1989)
  • "Special" (1991)
  • "Do Ya" (1991)
  • "Always" (1993)
  • "Somebody for Me" (1998)
  • "Dedicated" (2010)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "R&B Singer Vesta Williams Found Dead at 53". ABC News. Associated Press. September 23, 2011. Archived from the original on September 26, 2011.
  2. ^ "Audio Exclusive: Norwood Young Details Vesta's Final Days". EURweb. September 23, 2011. Archived from the original on June 21, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Wynn, Ron. "Vesta Williams Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved September 23, 2011.
  4. ^ "Stacia L. Brown: Vesta Williams 'Unsung': An Uplifting, Heartbreaking Look At An R&B Dynamo". Huffingtonpost.com. January 2, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  5. ^ "Breaking News: R&B Singer Vesta Williams Found Dead In L.A. Hotel Room | Praise 1300". Praisecleveland.com. September 23, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  6. ^ "Funeral arrangements for Vesta Williams set | SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews". SoulTracks. September 29, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  7. ^ "Vesta Williams, R&B Singer and Actress, Dies at 53". The New York Times. Associated Press. September 24, 2011.
  8. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 603.
  9. ^ "VESTA WILLIAMS DIES, IN WHAT 'COULD BE A DRUG OVERDOSE'". Archived from the original on November 16, 2011.
  10. ^ Burton, Nsenga (September 23, 2011). "R&B Singer Vesta Williams Found Dead". Theroot.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  11. ^ "The Women of Brewster Place Theme Song- Vesta Williams - ZOCIAL.tv". Archived from the original on April 18, 2013.
  12. ^ "Posse (1993)". Box Office Mojo. May 14, 1993. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  13. ^ "Vesta Williams". WBSS Media. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Johnson, Billy (September 23, 2011). "Vesta Williams' Death Confirmed By Los Angeles Coroner | Hip-hop Media training - Archives - Yahoo! Music". New.music.yahoo.com. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  15. ^ "iTunes - Music - Dedicated by Vesta Williams". Itunes.apple.com. December 7, 2010. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  16. ^ "Welcome to Vesta Williams.com". Vestawilliams.com. Archived from the original on December 11, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  17. ^ "The new & improved Vesta: from size 26 to size 6". Ebony. Findarticles.com. 1996.
  18. ^ "Vesta Williams, R&B Singer and Actress, Dies at 53". The New York Times. September 24, 2011.
  19. ^ "R&B singer Vesta Williams found dead at 53 - MSN Music News". Music.msn.com. Archived from the original on December 11, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  20. ^ "R&B singer Vesta Williams found dead at 53 - MSN Music News". Music.msn.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  21. ^ "Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis". Washington Post. September 12, 2013. Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  22. ^ "The Family of R&B Singer Vesta Williams Releases Official Statement on Final Cause of Her Death". Prweb.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  23. ^ Bryson, Derrick (December 30, 2011). "Vesta Williams' Autopsy Report". Essence.com. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  24. ^ "Thecelebritycafe.com". Archived from the original on September 14, 2012.
  25. ^ "Listen now". Black Press Radio. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  26. ^ "Vesta Williams Funeral". Mrmokelly.com. December 27, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  27. ^ "Hundreds Turn Out For Homegoing Celebration For Singer Vesta Williams! | Praise 103.9". Praisephilly.com. October 8, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  28. ^ a b "US Charts > Vesta William". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  29. ^ "Vesta (Heatseekers Albums)". billboard.com. Billboard.
  30. ^ a b "NLD Charts > Vesta Williams". MegaCharts. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  31. ^ a b "Vesta Williams Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  32. ^ "Vesta Williams (Adult R&B Songs)". billboard.com. Billboard. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022.
  33. ^ "IRE Charts Search > Vesta Williams". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  34. ^ "NZ Charts > Vesta Williams". Official New Zealand Music Chart. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  35. ^ "UK Charts > Vesta Williams". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
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