While musical history has recorded a lengthy list of performing family groups, there are but a handful who have truly transcended the genre - who are simply great musical units, regardless of their formal kinship. Four gifted young women who also happen to be real life sisters, Sister Sledge has clearly joined this elite club of performers. The dedication and strength of family has had a crucial influence on the girl's success, supporting the hard work, positive action and love that have gone into the creation of their music. With the encouragement of mother Flo (a successful entertainer in her own right), the Sledge sisters began singing at an early age at the Williams Tempe C.M.E. church in their hometown of Philadelphia. Grandmother Viola Williams (a former opera singer) had the girls performing at charities, civic and political affairs and other philanthropic events under the name "Mrs. William's Grandchildren." Since the 1979 release of their breakthrough album We Are Family, this remarkable group has continued to develop and expand their diverse talents, blossoming into multi-faced artists who have received over one hundred awards and commendations for outstanding work in the entertainment field. Highlights include Billboard Artist of the Year, Tokyo Music Festival Silver Award, and Two (2) Grammy Nominations for Best R&B Duo or Group and Record of the Year. SISTER SLEDGE became established as one of the world's most successful female groups, setting off a series of events which made the group virtually a household name. We Are Family became a worldwide family anthem and was adopted by the Pittsburgh Pirates as the team theme. That year, the Pirates claimed victory over the Baltimore Orioles, winning the World Series. Ultimately the album soared past the RIAA Platinum mark, hitting the very top of both Pop and R&B charts. In the 80's, the world witnessed the full flowering of four college graduates with subsequent hits, Lost in Music, Love Somebody Today, Reach Your Peak and the international Gold Record, Frankie. In the following years they sold millions of records worldwide and traveled extensively in Asia, Africa, throughout Europe, the Middle East, South America, Australia and the United States, earning rave reviews. "Sister Sledge has the stuff legends are made of," stated one critic from the Chicago Tribune. Sister Sledge in the 90's has captured the hearts of many diverse audiences; from Carnegie Hall in New York, to the Sun Plaza in Tokyo....from the Apollo Theater in Harlem, to hosting their own television show in Italy. Their newest release, And Now Sister Sledge Again features the singles World Rise and Shine and Walking in the Light which were among their top five (5) hits in Italy. The magnificent blending of great voices, the continuing development of multi-talented performers, the commitment to musical perfection and the ability to charm and captivate a vast audience--is the Sister Sledge prescription for lasting success. 2nd Bio:

Five sisters growing up in Philidephia, Pennsylvania, Carol, Debbie, Joni, an Kathy, acquired a keen appreciation for music through the vocal tutelage of their grandmother, Viola Beatrix Williams, a lyric soprano and graduate of Bethune Cookman College. Mrs. Williams, who traveled across the USA as a protege of Mary McCleoud Bethune, taught the girls many beautiful spirituals as well as operatic pieces and show tunes. At the tender age's of 7. 5. 4 and 3, Debbie, Joni, Kim and Kathy became known as a singing group called "Mrs WIlliams Granddaughters" performing at local church functions and charity affairs throughout the city of Philadelphia. Their joy of music blossomed throught Carols love of popular music and their exposure to a rich musical heritage. Like most kids, they echoed the artists they admired. Unlike most kids, those artists they esteemed, spanned a diverse musical specrtum, from Areatha Franklin to Leonty Price, froth The Supremes to Broadway stars like Edwin Sledge, the girls father. Edwin, a famous tap dancer was one of the first African Americans to perform on "Broadway". He was starring in the original cast of "Kiss Me Kate" when he met the groups mother, Florez, a movie actress and dancer in New York. As a single parent, Mrs Sledge raised the girls from elementary school through college and became the key in their success as Atlantic Recoring stars "Sister Sledge" As the groups personal manager, her only rule was that they "stay in school", by 1974, while still in school "Sister Sledge" Debbie, Joni, Kim and kathy (Carol opted to pursue a teaching degree) capitulated to success with their first LP on Atlantic Records "Circle of Love". The record was a "smash hit" in Japan and enabled them to participate in the International Tokyo Music Festival. In 1975 they went to Tokyo and walked away with the SIlver Prize. "Tokyo was phenomenal, there were thousands of kids in the airport with our faces on big posters mounted and carried on sticks. I was in shock! No one believed me the following week. Back home I was just another girl waiting for the school bus in my gym suit and sneakers." Kim Sledge. The years to come brought wonderful adventures, they sold millions of records worldwide and traveled extensively in Asia, Africa, throughout Europe and the USA, earning comendations and rave reviews "Sister Sledge has the stuff legends are made of" stated one critic from Chicago Tribune. Along with an entourage of musicians and stage crew, their grandmother travelled along with them. It was no suprise that the "We Are A Family" album was a highlight of their career. This particular LP earned a multi-platinum status for excess sales of two million in USA. It also went Gold in several other countries, in fact "We Are A Family" was re-released in 1985 in the United Kingdom and went Gold all over again. In 1979, Pitssburgh Pirate, Willis "Pops" Stargel, adopted the song as the teams theme. The Pirates claimed victory over the Baltimore Orioles winning the World Series. In the eighties the world witnessed the full flowering of four college gradutes with consequent hits "Lost In Music", "Love Somebody Today", "Reach Your Peak" and the international number one "Frankie". Sister Sledge has captured the hearts of many diverse audiences, from Carnegie Hall to the Sun Plaza in Tokyo.... From the Appolo Theatre in Harlem, to hosting their own television show for RAI in Italy At present Sister Sledge, consisting of three girls, Joni, Kim and Debiie (Kathy is persuing a sole career) is still going strong with a solid following. With boundless energy and tremendous talent Sister Sledge is a combination of sophistication, effervescence and soul.