Pamela Hutchinson, one of the voices in the iconic R&B anthem “Best of My Love,” has died at age 61, her family said in a statement Sunday.
The beloved singer in the Grammy-winning sister group The Emotions passed away Friday, the statement posted on Facebook said.
“We are saddened to announce the passing of our sister, Pamela Rose Hutchinson,” the family said.
“Pam succumbed to health challenges that she’d been battling for several years. Now our beautiful sister will sing amongst the angels in heaven in perfect peace,” the statement said.
“A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. We love you, Pamela!” her loved ones said.
Hutchinson, along with sisters Wanda Hutchinson-Vaughn and Sheila Hutchinson-Witt, hailed from Chicago and started out on the Gospel circuit in the 1960s.
The trio expanded to R&B and issued their debut 1969 album “So I Can Love You” after signing with the Memphis-based Volt imprint of Stax Records.
Their biggest hit, “Best of My Love,” was written and produced by Earth Wind & Fire’s creative genius, Maurice White.
The song became a No. 1 smash hit in 1977, and the Emotions then repaid the favor by providing vocals for Earth Wind & Fire’s follow-up disco masterpiece “Boogie Wonderland.”
The Emotions released nine albums over the group’s long career, with “Rejoice” reaching certified platinum success and “Flowers” and “Sunbeam” certified gold.
The group was named one of the 18 most influential girl groups of all time by VH1.
