Gwen Guthrie (July 14 (some sources say July 9) 1950 - February 3, 1999) was an American singer and songwriter, who also sang backing vocals for Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, and Madonna among others, and wrote songs for Ben E. King and Roberta Flack. July 14 is the 195th day (196th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 170 days remaining. ... July 9 is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 175 days remaining. ... 1950 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... February 3 is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) is a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Aretha Franklin Aretha Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an iconic American gospel, soul and R&B singer born in Memphis, Tennessee, but raised in Detroit, Michigan. ... Billy Joel was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. ... Madonna (Italian for my lady) refers to several things. ... Ben E. King (born Benjamin Earl Nelson in September 28, 1938 in Henderson, North Carolina) is an American soul and pop singer. ... Roberta Flack Roberta Flack (born February 10, 1939) is an American singer. ...

Guthrie was born in Newark, New Jersey. In school, she studied classical music, and her father began teaching her piano when she was eight. In the early 70's, she joined vocal groups the Ebonettes and the Matchmakers, and worked as an elementary school teacher. When a backup singer scheduled to sing on Aretha Franklin's "I'm In Love" fell ill, Guthrie took the vocalist's place beside Cissy Houston. Guthrie also began to work as a singer of commercial jingles. A songwriting partnership with Patrick Grant resulted in Ben E. King's comeback single, "Supernatural Thing," and "This Time I'll Be Sweeter," covered by numerous artists.

She is probably best known for her 1986 dance anthem "Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent," a self-written/self-produced track which garnered some controversy for lyrics such as: "No romance without finance, you've got to have a j-o-b if you want to be with me" (and "...Rent" was later sampled in songs by numerous dance and hip hop artists, notably Foxy Brown's "J-O-B"). She worked extensively with Sly & Robbie and famed Paradise Garage DJ Larry Levan. She was dubbed "The First Lady Of The Paradise Garage" during a string of dance hits and performances at the club. 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A dance anthem, floorfiller or club anthem is an dance (or disco) track which receives almost timeless status, being played commonly many years after its release. ... Sly and Robbie are probably reggaes most prolific and long lasting production team. ... Larry Levan (born July 20, 1954 – died November 8, 1992) stands at the crossroads of disco, house music and garage music. ...

Her single "Can't Love You Tonight" boldly addressed AIDS at a time when the disease was a taboo subject, and she was an ally to the gay community and People With AIDS long before the masses caught up. Proceeds from the single went the AIDS Coalition.

Other club hits of hers include "Padlock," "Peanut Butter," and "Peek-a-boo."

She died february 3, 1999 of uterine cancer. 1999 (MCMXCIX) is a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... When normal cells are damaged beyond repair, they are eliminated by apoptosis. ...

Partial Discography

Albums

Gwen Guthrie (1982)

Portrait (1983)

Padlock EP (1985)

Just For You (1985)

Good To Go Lover (1986)

Lifeline (1988)

Ticket To Ride (1988)

Hot Times (1990)

Ultimate Collection (1999)

Singles

It Should Have Been You (1982)

Peek-a-boo (1982)

Seventh Heaven (1982)

Family Affair (1983)

Hopscotch (1983)

Padlock (Special Mixes by Larry Levan; 1983)

Love In Moderation (1984)

Getting Hot (1985)

Peanut Butter (1985)

Seventh Heaven (1985)

Ain't Nothin' Goin On But The Rent (1986)

Outside The Rain (1986)

Can't Love You Tonight (1987)

Close To You (1987)

Ticket To Ride (1987)

Rocking Chair (1988)

Miss My Love (1990)

Say It Isn't So (1991)

Sweet Bitter Love (1991)

This Christmas Eve (1992)

Ain't Nothin' Goin On But The Rent (Remix with Junior; 1993)

See also

• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart