Sweethearts of Sigma
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| - | ''[[The Sweethearts of Sigma]]'' was vocal trio associated with the [[Sigma Sound Studios]]. founded in 1972 by [[Barbara Ingram]], [[Carla Benson]] and [[Evette Benton]], the trio could be heard on many 1970s and 1980s R&B and disco recordings in [[Philadelphia]]. | + | '''The Sweethearts of Sigma''', sometimes known simply as '''The Sweethearts''' or '''The Sweeties''', were an American female [[vocal group|vocal trio]] comprising [[Carla L. Benson|Carla Benson]], [[Evette Benton]] and [[Barbara Ingram]]. Primarily [[backing vocalist]]s, they were heard on many recordings made in [[Philadelphia]], especially in the 1970s. |
| - | ==Career== | + | |
| - | Carla Benson began her professional career singing with her cousin Barbara Ingram, who died unexpectedly in 1994, and [[Evette Benton]], her best friend from childhood with whom she was now college roommates. After auditioning for [[Thom Bell]], these women, all Camden natives, became the in-house background vocalists for Philadelphia International Records for over 10 years. They vigorously resisted any group name but eventually were named "[[The Sweethearts of Sigma]]" for the famous Sigma Sound Studios where they did the majority of their work, by mix master [[Tom Moulton]]. The group became much sought after for their sweet, angelic sound, their professionalism, their speed and accuracy in learning and recording, and their comedic antics during sessions with producers who flew in from all over the world to work with them. | + | Carla Benson (born 1947) and Barbara Ingram (1947–1994) were first cousins, growing up together in [[Camden, New Jersey]], with their friend Evette Benton (1952–2021). Barbara Ingram started singing as a child, and in 1972 toured as a [[Raelette]] with [[Ray Charles]]. After her return, she learned that [[record producer]] [[Thom Bell]] was setting up a new record company, [[Philadelphia International]], with [[Leon Huff]] and [[Kenny Gamble]]. She auditioned successfully for Bell, who asked her to form a vocal trio to work as backing singers on studio recordings. |
| + | Ingram called Benson, who had already started singing with her friend Evette Benton, and the three agreed to audition together. Bell and Huff immediately agreed to record them on a session by [[Joe South]], and they rapidly became established as the label’s in-house backing vocalists. | ||
| - | They never signed an exclusive contract, making them were free to work as independent contractors for whomever they chose. As a result, they appeared on many projects outside the Philadelphia International stables. Benson's crisp, clear soprano blended perfectly with Barbara's sensual 2nd soprano and Evette's solid, gospel rich bottom. They can be heard on hundreds of hits, including Billy Paul's "[[Me and Mrs. Jones]]", The Spinners' "[[I'll Be Around]], McFadden and Whitehead's "[[Ain't No Stopping Us Now]]", Evelyn "Champagne" King's "[[Shame]]", Patti LaBelle's "[[New Attitude]]" and "[[If Only You Knew]]", Lou Rawl's "[[You're Gonna Miss My Lovin]]" and Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald's "[[On My Own]]" to name a few. | + | They most often recorded at [[Sigma Sound Studios]], and acquired the informal name of "The Sweethearts of Sigma" after initially being referred to as "Tommy’s Girls" (referring to Thom Bell). When recording at the [[Alpha Studios]], they were known as the "Alpha Angels". Among the artists with whom they recorded were [[Billy Paul]], [[McFadden & Whitehead]], [[The O'Jays]], [[The Stylistics]], [[Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes]], [[Teddy Pendergrass]], [[Lou Rawls]], [[Elton John]], and [[Dionne Warwick]]. They also toured for five years as backing singers with [[Patti Labelle]]. |
| - | During the disco era, The Sweethearts were heavily sought after for their vocals. Precluded by confidentiality agreements from revealing actual artists and title songs, the Sweethearts were the actual vocalists for several major disco hits as well as the named and unnamed background vocalists for studio orchestras [[MFSB]], [[The Salsoul Orchestra]], [[The Ritchie Family]], and [[John Davis' Monster Orchestra]]. They provided background vocals for [[Grace Jones]], [[The Trammps]], [[the Village People]], [[Gloria Gaynor]], [[Loleatta Holloway]], [[France Joli]], and hundreds of others successful disco acts. After the runaway success of ''Saturday Night Fever'', even John Travolta tried his hand at recording and insisted on the vocal assistance of the famed Sweethearts. | + | After the group disbanded in the early 1980s, Carla Benson performed in several Broadway productions, and recorded with [[Larry Carlton]] and others. She trained and qualified as a legal secretary, and also worked as a music teacher. Barbara Ingram died in 1994, aged 47. Evette Benton worked as a special education teacher, and later became director of a pre-school program in Camden. She died in 2021, aged 68. |
| - | With the sudden decline of disco, the women were without work and decided to break up the group. | ||
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| - | ==See also== | ||
| - | *[[Sigma Sound]] | ||
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The Sweethearts of Sigma, sometimes known simply as The Sweethearts or The Sweeties, were an American female vocal trio comprising Carla Benson, Evette Benton and Barbara Ingram. Primarily backing vocalists, they were heard on many recordings made in Philadelphia, especially in the 1970s.
Carla Benson (born 1947) and Barbara Ingram (1947–1994) were first cousins, growing up together in Camden, New Jersey, with their friend Evette Benton (1952–2021). Barbara Ingram started singing as a child, and in 1972 toured as a Raelette with Ray Charles. After her return, she learned that record producer Thom Bell was setting up a new record company, Philadelphia International, with Leon Huff and Kenny Gamble. She auditioned successfully for Bell, who asked her to form a vocal trio to work as backing singers on studio recordings. Ingram called Benson, who had already started singing with her friend Evette Benton, and the three agreed to audition together. Bell and Huff immediately agreed to record them on a session by Joe South, and they rapidly became established as the label’s in-house backing vocalists.
They most often recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, and acquired the informal name of "The Sweethearts of Sigma" after initially being referred to as "Tommy’s Girls" (referring to Thom Bell). When recording at the Alpha Studios, they were known as the "Alpha Angels". Among the artists with whom they recorded were Billy Paul, McFadden & Whitehead, The O'Jays, The Stylistics, Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, Elton John, and Dionne Warwick. They also toured for five years as backing singers with Patti Labelle.
After the group disbanded in the early 1980s, Carla Benson performed in several Broadway productions, and recorded with Larry Carlton and others. She trained and qualified as a legal secretary, and also worked as a music teacher. Barbara Ingram died in 1994, aged 47. Evette Benton worked as a special education teacher, and later became director of a pre-school program in Camden. She died in 2021, aged 68.
