Debbie Wright
Debbie Wright | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 18, 1951 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | October 12, 2017 (aged 66) |
| Genres | Funk, Soul, R&B |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Formerly of | |
Deborah C. Wright (June 18, 1951 – October 12, 2017) was an American funk and soul singer, best known for her work with Parliament-Funkadelic and as a founding member of the female spin-off group Parlet. Wright’s vocals were a key part of the layered, gospel-inspired harmonies that defined the P-Funk sound in the 1970s.
Early life
Wright was born in Detroit, Michigan. She grew up in a musical family.[1] She began singing in church choirs and local groups, building a style rooted in gospel and soul. She began her career as an uncredited session singer for Parliament, along with Mallia Franklin, at a young age.
Parliament-Funkadelic
In the mid-1970s, Wright joined George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic collective. She and singer Jeanette Washington were the first women to officially join the P-Funk lineup.[2] Wright recorded vocals for albums such as Mothership Connection (1975), Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome (1977), and Funkadelic’s One Nation Under a Groove (1978).[3] Her voice is also heard on Parliament Live: P-Funk Earth Tour (1977), a live album capturing the elaborate P-Funk stage shows.[4]
Parlet
In 1978, Wright formed Parlet with Mallia Franklin and Jeanette Washington. Their debut album, Pleasure Principle, prominently featured Wright’s vocals. She sang lead on the track "Mr. Melody Man" and contributed co-lead and background vocals throughout the album.[5] Due to illness, Wright left Parlet later that year and was replaced by Shirley Hayden.[6]
Death and legacy
Debbie Wright died on October 12, 2017, at age 66. Fellow P-Funk members and fans paid tribute to her as one of the voices that shaped the Parliament-Funkadelic sound.[1]
Selected discography
- Parliament – Mothership Connection (1975)
- Parliament – Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome (1977)
- Parliament – Parliament Live: P-Funk Earth Tour (1977)
- Funkadelic – One Nation Under a Groove (1978)
- Parlet – Pleasure Principle (1978)
References
- ^ a b SoulTracks tribute to Debbie Wright, retrieved 7/8/2025
- ^ Clinton, George. Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard on You? Simon & Schuster, 2014.
- ^ Debbie Wright credits on Discogs, retrieved 7/8/2025
- ^ Parliament Live: P-Funk Earth Tour (liner notes), Casablanca Records, 1977.
- ^ Parlet on Discogs, retrieved 7/8/2025
- ^ Aced Out Podcast, Interview with Shirley Hayden, January 2021.
External links
- Debbie Wright at Discogs