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| It's Thursday evening and I've just returned from doing some shopping. As I pressed the "play" key on my answering service, to hear what telephone calls I'd missed, I heard the voice. Oh my God, it's Ms. Dee Dee Sharp, who left me a message.
She informed me that she would be busy through-out the weekend and that we should speak that following week. I think I played her message about 20 times, before I said to myself, "Enough already!"
Ms. Sharp is a part of my childhood, musically. My mother was a huge fan and I knew her music probably before I could count.
In the 1960's, Ms. Sharp was our first teen idol of color when she recorded, "Mash Potato Time".
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Then in the 1980's, there was a rebirth for Ms. Sharp, musically, and a whole new generation were being exposed to the diva who can sing jazz, gospel, pop, disco or anything she wants.
The dance clubs were playing her hits, "Happy Bout The Whole Thing", "Share My Love", "Breaking and Entering", and "Easy Money".
But for music buffs, like myself, we already knew, there's no one who can take the place or replace, this extremely talented gifted beautiful and humble lady.
I'm honored that she would take the time to "chit chat" with me.
Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing the legend, Ms. Dee Dee Sharp.
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| INTERVIEW |
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| John: It's an honor and a pleasure to be speaking to you.
Dee Dee: Well thank you, thank you so much.
John: Before I start asking the questions, I would like to say that you've been a part of my life, all of my life through music. My mother was a huge fan of yours.
Dee Dee: Really? (I could hear the smile in her voice)
John: You were a part of my mother's generation and then you came back out in the 80's with "Happy Bout The Whole Thing", that's my generation.
Dee Dee: You know I wrote that song.
John: Really? (Now it was my time to say it. For the most part I'm usually up on who wrote what.)
Dee Dee: On the song credit is D. Gamble.
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John: Wow, I didn't realize that, I think its such a great song. I even play it now.
Dee Dee: I am really and truly "Happy Bout the Whole Thing". (we both laughed)
John: How old were you when you realized that you were gifted with a voice to sing?
Dee Dee: Mmm, I think the earliest recollection I have was when I was four years old.
John: Did you just get up and start singing?
Dee Dee: No, my mother, she would always encourage me and when I got older, my grandmother and my grandfather encouraged me. They were always encouraging me, my grandfather was really an important part in my life. He was a minister and I loved him, my grandfather's been gone since 1967 and I still love him.
John: Well you know that love doesn't die.
Dee Dee: My grandfather started me playing piano when I was nine. And I took piano lessons at age 21. My mother's parents were really the driving force behind me.
John: When you were born, your given name was Dione LaRue,
Dee Dee: Yeah, but I don't use it. (laughed)
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John: It sounds like a movie star/actress name.
Dee Dee: You know when they (the record company) were trying to think of a name for me, they said that my real name sounded like a French stripper, but it was my God giving name, my father is…. I have a Caucasian father and my mother was Afro American. (Dee Dee's father named her after the Dionne Quadruplets)
John: I thought your name choices were interesting, because of the Warwick sisters, Dionne and Dee Dee.
Dee Dee: I spoke to Dionne a few weeks ago. (Just two girlfriends catching up.)
John: So how did you become Dee Dee Sharp?
Dee Dee: I sing in d-sharp.
John: I thought that, but I said, "No." (We laughed again)
Dee Dee: I sing in the key of "d -sharp", I'm a contralto, so I can sing highs and lows too, it's a cross between tenor, alto and a soprano.
John: I know you can sing the soprano.
Dee Dee: Yeah God blessed me with a good range.
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| John: Do you have any siblings? And if so, are they musically talented like you?
Dee Dee: I've got one brother and I love him dearly. My mother and my grandparents, taught us to always look out for one another, take care of each other. And you can not get between us (she and her brother) We live 25 minutes from each other.
John: Where were you born?
Dee Dee: In Philadelphia.
John: There's a lot of talent in Philadelphia PA.
Dee Dee: Yeah there is.
John: I remember reading years ago that one of your favorite singers is Shirley Bassey, which I found interesting because the both of you have beautiful powerful unique voices, if it were possible would you consider doing a duet with her?
And if so, what song, if written, would you like to do?
Dee Dee: (Ms. Sharp pulsed for a second, before answering the question)
It would have to be a song recorded by Nancy Wilson that was written by Gamble and Huff.
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She sang it on an album that Gamble & Huff produced, called, "Now I'm A Woman". I was fortunate to sing background on that album, with her.
John: Really? I didn't know that. I have to re-listen to that album, its like if you know who sang on the album then you can point out the voice singing in the background. (Ms. Dee agreed)
John: Your hit song "Mash Potato Time", what was that feeling like, to first hear it on the radio?
Dee Dee: Strange.
John: Was it? Did you scream?
Dee Dee: No, I didn't scream, I started laughing. The song was really funny to me, coming from a religious background, you have to understand that we didn't listen to that stuff, we listened to Mahalia Jackson, Clara Ward, James Cleveland and other artist of the day.
When I got introduced to that (rock and roll music) it was from Clara Ward's sister, Willa Ward, that's how I started in the record business.
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John: You were also a part of Dick Clark's "Caravan of Stars" tour, where you traveled around the country, during that time, in the 1960's, did you experience racism? And if so, how did you deal with it?
Dee Dee: I did not know anything about racism. My mom thought I was crazy, because I did not accept anything other than what I wanted to, if I put my mind to do something, that's the way it was going to be. I just didn't think about the racism. I knew it was going on but the only time that I experienced that it was going on, was when we went to Jackson, Mississippi, on the Caravan of Stars tour, I was the only girl on that tour, my mother always traveled with me during that time period.
The KKK had the white hoods on and started to throw stones and sticks at the bus. That was the first time that I had experienced anything like that. There were white entertainers on the bus, like Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the Isley Brothers were there, it was a really big tour. I never got over that and I never went back to Jackson, Mississippi! (We both laughed)
John: Your hits, "Mash Potato Time", "Gravy" and "Do the Bird", it is fair to say that you were the dancing Queen of that time?
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Dee Dee: (She laughed) I can't dance. My brother could dance his hips off, but I can't dance. My brother taught me how to fake it. I still can't dance, I can play piano and I can tap foot it and sing.
John: Oh, ok. I was about to ask you how you get started.
Dee Dee: There was an ad in the newspaper, (wanted) singers who can play piano and sing well and also sight read music. Sight reading is the art of not having any music around and being able to sing the notes true. Since I had studied piano, I knew how to do that.
(Ms. Sharp shared how she overheard the conversation her father and grandparents were having about her mother who had been in a car accident.
She wasn't sure about her future.) So I told my grandmother I'm going to get a job to help out the family. She said, "Ok baby" . She never ever discouraged me, she always encouraged me.
I answered that ad and I told them, "don't look no more I'm the one that you want". (laughing) The interviewer thought, this kid's got real strength". I got the job and I start singing.
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John: That's magical, to get a job that quick.
Dee Dee: Yes it was. But you know what? Anytime the Lord is ready for something to happen, it happens quickly, it happens suddenly, it's not sudden but it appears to be suddenly.
John: Yes, when the Lord wants it to happen that's when it happens, even though to us, it may appear to have happened quick.
Dee Dee: Yeah, it happens in God's time.
John: But you were doing the "Mash Potato".
Dee Dee: No, I fake it. (Laughing) I still can't dance but I'm known as the dance Queen but I still can't dance a lick.
John: One of my personal favorite songs written by is you, "Make It Till Tomorrow", I understand that you were in your teens when you wrote this song, what inspired you to write such a beautiful song?
Dee Dee: I wrote it for my grandmother. My grandmother would always say, "If I can make it till tomorrow." And that's why I wrote it, as a tribute to her. Really I wrote that song when I was 16, 17, and I didn't take it out till we were doing the album. ("Happy Bout The Whole Thing")
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John: You've recorded with Chubby Checker, Bunny Sigler and Jerry Butler and Ben E. King, out of the four, who was your favorite singing partner?
Dee Dee: Jerry Butler. He produced the "Dee Dee" CD for me. We've been friends for over 40 years. And his wife, Annette Butler, Jerry's wife, she's my buddy.
John: What male entertainer would you like to perform with, that you haven't worked with?
Dee Dee: There a couple, Jeffrey Osborne, Michael McDonald, Musiq-Soul-Child and Maxwell. I love that new Maxwell song. And also Eric Benet. (Then Ms. Dee Dee began to sing Maxwell's song, inside I'm thinking, I can't believe this! Perfect pitch, sounds wonderful and she's singing it for me!)
John: What female singer would you like to perform with?
Dee Dee: Beyonce, Mary J. Blige and Jill Scott.
John: When you're listening to music, who do you listen to?
Dee Dee: Everybody.
John: Before a performance, how do you prepare?
Dee Dee: I sit to myself, drink some hot tea, and just ask God for guidance and strength. That's the only thing I do, is sit quietly or stand quietly and then I pray before I hit the floor. (Go on stage)
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John: Do you listen to your own recordings?
Dee Dee: No. (laughing) Because when listening to your own music, you always feel that you could have done it better.
John: I love the way you sing ballads, "Trying To Get That Feeling Again", "Flashback"…
Dee Dee: I love ballads, when I go on stage to sing , sometimes I do, "Going Out of My Head, by Little Anthony ,a totally different way, everybody seems to enjoy it, I got a standing ovation this past weekend.
Also, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", I sing a different way than the original, I saw the movie, "Beautiful", the lady who sings it at the end of the film, sings it just like I do.
John: When you recorded "I'm Not In Love" and "Ooh Child" did you know that these two songs would be considered your signature songs?
Dee Dee: I did not realize it then, not when I recorded them. I was just singing them from my heart. I also played (the piano) the intro. (Then she sang the intro to "Ooh Child", much to my delight.)
John: On the up-tempo songs like, "Happy Bout The Whole Thing", "Share My Love" & "Breaking and Entering", the listener can feel and hear the joy within the music, it's like you were ready to have church. (We both laughed)
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Dee Dee: That's what it felt like when I was recording them too. (laughing at the memory)
John: Many times what happens "live" for an artist, can not be copied or produced in the recording studio. How do you make this transcend onto record?
Dee Dee: I don't really think about it, I just do it. When you ask God to help you, you never know what He's going to do. You can have an idea of what you want to do, but you never know what God's going to bless you with. That's why I just leave it up to Him. By myself I can't do anything, but through Him, through Christ, I can do all things and that's what I believe.
John: Mentioning church, will you ever do a gospel CD?
Dee Dee: Yes, I'm doing one now. I started it last summer, then I was working. I received an award, a plaque on the Walk of Fame in Philadelphia, that was really fun. Then a couple weeks after my brother became ill. I haven't touch anything musically since then but I'm looking forward to going back into the studio.
John: Will distribution be done through you?
Dee Dee: Yes, definitely, the distribution will be through J.C. Power Inc.
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John: If I'm correct, you've been a recording artist for over 4 decades.
Dee Dee: I think so.
John: Imagine, "Dee Dee Sharp Live" on Broadway and on CD. A live recording where you would sing all of your music, you would have dancers doing the Mash Potatoes and other dances at the time of the recorded song. You could also give the audience some history behind the song and also share who you were during that time in your life. Is there a possibility that something like this is in your musical future?
Dee Dee: I would love it, if I could get someone to fund it, finance it that would be great, I wouldn't love nothing better.
John: Your story is not a hard luck story, it's unique. Will the gospel CD be recorded live or in the studio?
Dee Dee: In the studio.
John: Who were your idols as a child?
Dee Dee: Clara Ward, Mahalia Jackson.
John: Clara Ward and the Ward Singers, I can remember when I was a kid, they gave you a performance, they were like Ike and Tina Turner. (laughing)
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Dee Dee: Yes indeed. They were good. They gave you fever, honey! They were the first artist to go into the nightclubs, they were in Vegas when Diana Ross was still in diapers. (laughing)
John: Will you ever write your life-story?
Dee Dee: No. I don't think so. I've been through so much. I can only inspire others. (She explained that in writing such a thing would & could hurt individuals from her past. Plus she's moved on, by God's grace.)
John: If your life were to be made into a movie, which actress would you like to play you?
Dee Dee: Halle Berry. (We both laughed, it was almost like she was reading my mind. We had connected wonderfully. She would answer the question before I asked it. Her grandfather told her that she had the "gift", perhaps psychic.)
A special note to Anita Baker and Mary J. Blige, Ms Dee Dee Sharp has written a song for each of you.
John: Are you happy?
Dee Dee: Yes, I'm very happy. I am blessed
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| John: For up and coming entertainers, what advice would you give them?
Dee Dee: Stay true to yourself.
John: What word do you hate?
Dee Dee: I don't hate anything, I may dislike stuff but I don't hate anything.
John: What's your favorite word?
Dee Dee: Praise the Lord!
John: Do you cook? And if so, what's your favorite dish to prepare?
Dee Dee: Fried Spare Ribs with potato salad and spinach (and Ms. Sharp gave me the recipe)
John: How do you relax?
Dee Dee: I kick back and watch television or read. (Some of her favorite shows are all of the "Law & Orders and CSI's. It would be wonderful if she could appear on one of them.)
John: I understand that there's a documentary called "The Strange World of Northern Soul". In the documentary you are singing a song called, "What Kind of Lady?" Has this song been released here in the states?
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Dee Dee: We only pressed about 2000. I have to do some more (press copies), they sold quickly in Europe, I didn't have time to put a photo on it.
John: What would your fans be surprised to know about you?
Dee Dee: That I cook. (laugh)
John: You were honored with the Life Time Achievement Award by the Philadelphia Music Foundation and also inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Foundation among many of your other accomplishments, how do you take in all that's been given and yet remain humble?
Dee Dee: I just thank God for it. I'm grateful that someone's listening after all these years.
John: For your up and coming concerts and appearances, do you have a website with this information?
Dee Dee: Call agent, Jeannie Sorenson @ 248 681-6187 (The schedule was not available at the time of this interview.)
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| At the end of the interview, I thanked Ms. Sharp and she thanked me. It was wonderful just being in her space. Ms. Sharp holds dear to her heart, her husband, her family and her music. She doesn't take her gifts for granted. As for me, dreams do come true, as it was a pleasure speaking this musical icon.. And the lady still can sing!
If by chance, Ms. Dee Dee Sharp is performing in your city, don't walk, run to purchase your ticket. Experience the magic of Ms. Dee Dee Sharp.
For Dee Dee Sharp music, T-shirts, Sweat shirts, note books and other Dee Dee Sharp items go to:
Dee Dee Sharp.com It's About Music.com
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