Kathy Sledge, one of the iconic voices behind Sister Sledge's biggest disco anthems, is set to perform at the Electric Paradise festival this summer and will be answering questions from fans. The singer, now 67, brings timeless hits such as Lost in Music, He's the Greatest Dancer, Thinking of You, and We Are Family to the stage on 8 August in Milton Keynes.
From Church Gigs to Chart Success
Kathy formed Sister Sledge with her sisters Debbie, Joni, and Kim in the mid-1960s, initially performing as the Sledge Sisters at churches and local events in Philadelphia. After rebranding, they secured a record deal and achieved their first UK chart success in 1973 with Mama Never Told Me, which reached the Top 20.
Despite early promise, commercial success proved elusive for several years. However, their fortunes changed when their label paired them with Chic's Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. The duo wrote and produced the group's biggest hits, which were collected on the album We Are Family. The title track peaked at No. 2 in the US and remains a defining moment of the disco era.
Enduring Legacy and Solo Career
Remixed versions of these classics saw renewed success in 1984 and 1993, particularly in the UK. Sister Sledge's only UK No. 1 single came in 1985 with the neo-60s pop sound of Frankie. After the group went on hiatus in 1987, Kathy pursued a solo career, occasionally reuniting with her sisters. Amid legal disputes, she has continued to perform Sister Sledge material on her own tours.
Now, Kathy is preparing for Electric Paradise, where she will share the bill with other legends like Grace Jones, Candi Staton, and Kool and the Gang. Fans are invited to submit their questions in the comments below before 6pm GMT on Wednesday, with answers to be published later in the week.
