Singer. Born Viola Mae Willerson, she began her career working with artists Barry White, Joe Cocker and Smokey Robinson, gaining international success with her cover version of "Gonna Get Along Without You Now" in 1979. Her first solo album "Soft Centers", included the dance hits "Disc-Diva", "Dare To Dream" and "Both Sides Now". In the 1980s, she formed the record label RVA, releasing a number of songs, including "Wall", "Space" and "If These Walls Could Speak". She created her own style of music dubbed "Jazzspel", a mix of jazz and gospel which produced the singles "Take One Step Forward", "Let's Love Now", "What Now My Love?" and "Dare To Dream" in 2008. Cause of death: cancer.
Singer. Born Viola Mae Willerson, she began her career working with artists Barry White, Joe Cocker and Smokey Robinson, gaining international success with her cover version of "Gonna Get Along Without You Now" in 1979. Her first solo album "Soft Centers", included the dance hits "Disc-Diva", "Dare To Dream" and "Both Sides Now". In the 1980s, she formed the record label RVA, releasing a number of songs, including "Wall", "Space" and "If These Walls Could Speak". She created her own style of music dubbed "Jazzspel", a mix of jazz and gospel which produced the singles "Take One Step Forward", "Let's Love Now", "What Now My Love?" and "Dare To Dream" in 2008. Cause of death: cancer.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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