Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Superstar Pop Singer from the 70s Helen Reddy Dies at Age 78, Had Hits “I Am Woman,” “Delta Dawn,” and More

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Superstar pop singer Helen Reddy has died at age 78 in Los Angeles. Reports say she suffered from dementia for years.

Reddy was the biggest female pop singer of the 70s. She was in the top 40 constantly, from “I Am Woman,” her women’s lib anthem, to “Delta Dawn,” “You and Me Against the World,” and many other hits. Reddy’s voice was constantly present on the radio, as big as any female singer right now.

Her life is currently portrayed in a new film called “I Am Woman” that I hope will be widely available soon. The film takes Helen from Canada to Hollywood where she meets her husband and manager, Jeff Wald. Reddy made millions and millions that Wald squandered, particularly on drugs, and the marriage ended in divorce.

In the movie, Helen turned out to be great friends with the late journalist Lillian Roxon, the first woman of rock and roll reporting who wrote “The Rock and Roll Encyclopedia.” They were unlikely friends. I never knew Roxon but always admired her. I sure hope they’re together now, having a good time.

Reddy’s children wrote on Facebook:

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Helen Reddy, on the afternoon of September 29th 2020 in Los Angeles. She was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother and a truly formidable woman. Our hearts are broken. But we take comfort in the knowledge that her voice will live on forever.”

Thanks to the movie, and the songs, Helen Reddy will indeed live on forever. Condolences to her family.

 

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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