The Voice of Empowerment and Resilience
Helen Maxine Reddy, born on October 25, 1941, in Melbourne, Australia, was a trailblazing singer, actress, and activist whose music left an indelible mark on popular culture. Known for her powerful voice and empowering anthems, Reddy’s career spanned several decades, and her influence continues to resonate today.
Reddy’s journey began in a showbiz family; her parents were both actors, and she performed on stage from a young age. At the age of four, she made her first professional appearance, and by twelve, she was touring with her family as a vaudeville act3. Despite the early start, Reddy decided to step away from show business for a time, only to return with a renewed passion for singing.
In 1966, Reddy won a talent contest that earned her a trip to New York City, where she auditioned for a record contract. Although the audition didn’t lead to an immediate breakthrough, Reddy remained in the U.S. and eventually moved to Los Angeles, where she signed with Capitol Records. Her debut single, “One Way Ticket,” was released in 1968, followed by “I Believe in Music” in 1970.
The 1970s were a golden era for Reddy, marked by the release of her iconic song “I Am Woman” in 1971. Written with Ray Burton, the song became an anthem for the women’s liberation movement and earned Reddy a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. “I Am Woman” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and solidified Reddy’s status as a feminist icon.
Throughout the decade, Reddy continued to achieve success with hits like “Delta Dawn,” “Angie Baby,” and “You and I.” She also became the first Australian-born pop singer to win a Grammy Award and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1974.
Beyond her music career, Reddy was an active advocate for women’s rights and other social causes. Her influence extended to television, where she hosted her own variety show, “The Helen Reddy Show,” and made appearances on popular programs like “The Carol Burnett Show” and “The Muppet Show.”
In the 1980s and 1990s, Reddy continued to record music and act in musicals, but she eventually retired from live performance in 2002. She returned to university in Australia, earned a degree, and worked as a clinical hypnotherapist and motivational speaker1. In 2011, she made a comeback to live performing, delighting fans with her timeless voice. Helen Reddy passed away on September 29, 2020, at the age of 78, but her legacy lives on through her music and her contributions to the feminist movement. Her song “I Am Woman” remains a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of women everywhere.
The Softer Side with Carl Rossi
Carl Rossi invites you on a journey each week to the Softer Side.
Every Friday afternoon at 5pm, he’ll explore new and familiar music, hear thematic sets, and themed shows. All this and much more, each Friday on KNCT, Simply Beautiful.
Playlist for Program #299, airing today at 5pm
KNCT 