Fabulous Flip Sides In Memoriam – Sharon Paige
Sharon Paige with Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, photo courtesy of Gamble Huff Entertainment
Legendary songwriters, producers, and Philadelphia International Records co-founders Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff reflected on their time with vocalist Sharon Paige, “Sharon possessed one of the most unique female vocals that blended perfectly with the smooth singing and vocal prowess of Harold Melvin and Teddy Pendergrass. We really enjoyed recording Sharon with the group and felt she was a great asset, both for the successful launch of the combined act and for being a great talent in her own right. She will always be remembered as ‘Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes featuring the lovely Ms. Sharon Paige.’ We send our sincere condolences to her family and fans.”
L to R: Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, courtesy of Gamble Huff Entertainment
In the early 1970s, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes reached the pop Top 10 twice with “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” and “The Love I Lost.” Both of these gold singles went all the way to No. 1 on the R&B charts. Their third No. 1 R&B hit, also written by Gamble and Huff, arrived in 1975 when they blended with Sharon Paige on “Hope That We Can Be Together Soon,” which served as a duet with Sharon and Teddy Pendergrass, a song they performed on Soul Train.
Dutch picture sleeve
The following year Sharon joined the group on “You Know How to Make Me Feel So Good,” the smooth and soulful flip side of the Blue Notes’ Top 10 R&B hit “Tell the World How I Feel About ‘Cha Baby.” Both songs were included on the Philadelphia International Records album Wake Up Everybody, which concluded with Sharon’s beautiful lead vocal on “I’m Searching for a Love.”
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
Flip side: You Know How to Make Me Feel So Good
A side: Tell the World How I Feel About ‘Cha Baby
Top Pop 100 debut: April 17, 1976
Peak position: No. 94
Top R&B 100 debut: March 20, 1976
Peak position: No. 7
Philadelphia International ZS8 3588
In 1977, Sharon reached the R&B Top 40 for a final time with the group on another duet, “After You Love Me, Why Do You Leave Me,” which reached No. 15. As the new decade began, Sharon took on a more prominent role on The Blue Album with the artist listed as Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes Featuring Sharon Paige. On July 5, Sharon passed away at the age of 67.
