Fong Fei-fei
Fong Fei-fei was a Taiwanese film star and singer born in 1953. To kick off her career, she hosted a Taiwanese TV show, and after the show’s success, she began to release music. She also starred in a successful TV drama show which was a huge breakthrough for her career. After that, Fong Fei-fei became a household name. Her singles, like “I Am A Cloud” and “Wish you Happiness” topped the charts, and she recorded over 80 albums throughout her career. She continued performing and releasing music even though her health started to decline, and in 2012, at the age of 58, Fong Fei-fei passed away due to lung cancer. The news was only reported after Chinese New Year in 2013 because she did not want her death to interrupt anyone’s new year celebrations.
Umm Kuthlum
Umm Kulthum, often called “The Star of the East”, was an Egyptian singer and songwriter. Her father used to take her to nearby villages to sing at weddings and parties, and soon, she developed her passion. Her family moved to Cairo so Kuthlum could pursue her dream of becoming a singer. In Cairo, she was admired by record labels for her powerful voice and vocal range, and Kulthum started to release music after getting signed. She eventually sold 80 million records worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling Middle Eastern artists. Kulthum spoke about politics in her music, and became a significant influence for artists such as Bob Dylan, Maria Callas and Robert Plant. Kulthum passed away due to kidney failure in 1975, but is honored as a national icon in her home country of Egypt.
Rukmani Devi
Rukmani Devi, born as Daisy Rasammah Daniels, was a Sri Lankan singer and film actress. As a child she participated in plays and dramas, which sparked her interest in music and acting. During her thirty year career, she starred in many films such as “Mayawwathie” and an adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet”. Devi transferred from an acting career to a singing career with the release of "Siri Buddhagaya Vihare”. Her unique voice was admired by people across her country, and landed her opportunities to write music for many films like “Peralena Iranama”. Rukmani Devi died in a motor accident whilst returning from a musical show. The Toyota Hi-ace is known in Sri Lanka as the “Rukmani” model because that was the car she died in.
Chavela Vargas
Chavela Vargas was a Mexican singer born in 1919. She was actually born in Costa Rica, but left her home to go to Mexico so she could become a singer. She released her first album “Noche de Bohemia” in 1961. Vargas’s career continued through the 60s, as she became one of the most successful female singers in Mexico. She later released over 50 albums and acted in a few films such as “La Soldadera”. She retired from performing for a short period due to a battle with alcoholism, but started releasing music again in the 1970s after she recovered. Vargas performed at Carnegie Hall after recovery and her career skyrocketed yet again, as she became huge in Mexico, Europe and the United States. She also came out as lesbian through the publication of her book “And If You Want To Know About My Past” in 2002. Vargas tragically passed at 93 because of respiratory problems.
Minnie Riperton
Born in 1947, Minnie Riperton was an African American singer, most known for her impressive vocal range. She grew up in Chicago, and took music and dance lessons. She dropped out of college so she could pursue her dream of becoming a singer. Riperton’s debut album “Come to my Garden” received critical acclaim in the United States. Her second album “Perfect Angel” featured her hit single “Lovin’ You” which topped the charts in the US and the UK. In 1976, Riperton was diagnosed with breast cancer and announced the news on “The Tonight Show”. She was one of the first celebrities to make her diagnosis public, and she became a spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society. Minnie Riperton passed away at 31 and over 500 people attended her funeral.