Houston, Thelma (1946–)

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Houston, Thelma (1946–)

African-American pop singer. Born May 7, 1946, in Leland, Mississippi; thrice married; thrice div.; children: Kimberlynn and Rodney.

Disco diva with gospel-tinged delivery, sang in Mississippi churches; scored 1st hit with cover of Laura Nyro's "Save the Country" (1970); received critical praise for debut album Sunshower (1971); acted in films Death Scream (1975) and Norman … Is That You? (1976); hit #1 with disco classic "Don't Leave Me This Way"; scored lesser hits with "Saturday Night, Sunday Morning" (1979) and "You Used to Hold Me So Tight" (1984); recorded music for soundtrack of film Lean on Me (1989); performed on tv's "It's Showtime at the Apollo" (2004).

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Houston, Thelma (1946–)

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