back down memory lane!! minnie riperton

[cmfletch1]

yes she really had a voice. There is a singer that is also an elegant singer named Corinne Bailey Rae who reminds me of Minnie and she does keep her close on. She doesn't quite have the range of Minnie but she is also talented.

[LBMAAS]

Rihanna should take some notes.

[phillydjconcrete]

I love the bass line played on this version

[artisan06]

I grew up listening to Minnie Riperton through my older siblings. I was 14 years old when she passed away! The only female vocalists who could come close to hitting those very high c notes were: Deniece WIlliams and Melba Moore!

[carolinablu528]

"Here I go again" - I remember being 9 yrs old listen'g to this w/my sister in early 80's. Minnie was perfect then and she is still perfect now. We miss you Minnie...you are forever young and beautiful in our hearts. You sing forever in our memories. They dont make 'em quite like you anymore...

[lej0123]

I'm only 27 and this is my favorite song!!!

[91Foxxy]

I wish she was my mother

[tftka]

Please tell us who's playing bass on this performance???

[DrFeelgood]

@tftka Yeah! That baseline during the instrumental break was SICK!!!!

[theresa2319]

minnie, you r and will always be the best; i just wanted you to know that i have been your no.#1 fan from the first time i heard you, i was 15, now i'am 50 & love to hear your music, look at your video's and i am still your no.#1 fan forever. R.I.P. miss minnie( the perfect angel).

[ForeverGettinGs]

Great performance

[44joints]

Man how is it possible to sound better than the record!!!!! Angelic!

[mikeynkeandrea]

Did anyone notice that she moved her right arm awe!!!

R.I.P Minnie

She was so beautiful and had an unique voice.

[Ms1930s]

It was not about her passing she had already made this song, it's about love and the memories. Now you can compare the somng to her death, she died a month later after the Ed sullivan show singing this on there. Beautiful!

[afoonu]

This song gets me all the time. She was a perfect angel.

[imagofly9]

Is this Soulbeat From Oakland!!! love this song and minnie too! classy and elegant Is there a Minie Ripperton foundation for breat cancer?

[donnab4real]

TEARS TEARS TEARS

[Martylee1992]

THIS PROVEZ THAT THA 1ST MARIAH CAREY WUZ BLACK,THIS IZ ROYALTY!

[clarissa21pink]

she's sayin she don't won't to go down memory lane she don't won't to remember all the goodtimes and bad times because it hurts. She knew she was dying and she didn't won't to remember .

[clarissa21pink]

she's sayin so don't won't to go down memory lane she don't won't to remember all the goodtimes and bad times because it hurts. She knew she was dying and she didn't won't to remember .

[tacoque]

Love, love, love it. The bass player was doing his thing on this as well. Does ANYBODY know who may have been playing bass in this clip?

[REUMUC87]

Knowing that she sings this because she knows that she's not gonna survive is what makes this song really sad. It also makes a very suitable breakup song. The irony is that everything is right...the strings, horns, tight bass lines, the way the song ended, and of course, Minnie's flawless voice. I wanna cry...

[pretay8706]

this is wat u call true and legendary!!! she was sick, and had lost feeling in her right arm...... But yet she was still able to sing this song jus as beautiful as she wud have when she was healthy....... And from lookin @ this video, it pisses me off that alot of these so called "singers" today think that they have REAl talent!!! and this Lady was dying!!! they ain nothin!! they need to watch this video, and take a witness to wat true talent is, and hard work is!!!!!

[MasterKhem]

@pretay8706 preach!!!!!!!

[planrobin]

la mas grande , la mas adorable , te amamos minnie

[MrsDegrassi615]

JULY 12, 1979----we truely lost a beautiful harmonest.RIP baby girl. we love you MINNIE!!

[mrsshoate27]

This song is beautiful, and sad. She was singing about her life, wanting to go back down memory lane when she first learned she had cancer. She wanted her life to go back to where it was before the cancer. Minnie will always be in our hearts.

[clgil77]

jd7779311 this song is not about her passing, minnie never was a gloomy person. She never wanted that kind of sympathy. In fact she did not disclose to the public that she was dying until she actually died. Everyone thought she was cured of her cancer. Only her and husband knew her cancer had spread. This song is about reminiscing about a lost loss love. "i don't wanna go..." is meaning she doesn't want to remsince about her old love cause the relationship broke up.

[mikofresh]

wonderful no one can really replace and beat her i miss her. the original queen of whistle and the original is always the best.

[dutico]

Poor Minnie this song was obviously about her cancer, and how she was fading fast :( It was like one of her final goodbyes, too her fans across the world. R.I.P. Minnie

[Mercury82805]

Rest in Peace Ms. Rona your baby girl misses you so much.

[pittypatguidry1]

MINNIE WE MISS YOU IN NEW ORLEANS LA

IN OUR SOUL OF MEMORY LANE

pitty pat guidry

[thicknevil2]

@ spitnificent. She could hold that note. Only when she became ill could she not hold it longer. Before there was a MiMi there was Minnie! RIP Angel

[spitnificent]

That's exactly what I was saying...

[theresa2319]

i cryed when i first heard thissong not only cause it eas as beautiful as minne will away's be, but also cause i worked at the hospital were she passed away at. as her no.1 fan. i wish i could have saved her. and everytime i went to work i could just feel her sprite there and it alway's gave me a good feeling cause she is our angel now & forever. r.i.p. ms perfect angel u r alwat's loved 4-ever. 12-11-09.

[NicoOfficial]

This is my favorite song ever. Minnie is the epitome of beauty and class. She will live in my heart forever and ever. Someday I hope to perform this song live in her honor.

[jetit]

Oh and I never heard Mariah say or Pernonce her High Notes only on somday. when you can say words up that high you know you are Bad...lol

[jetit]

So Sad..wish she was still Here. but she is in her music.this woman could do things with her voice like no Other. Rachelle Ferrell is another. Mariah can hit the note yes. but Mariah can do what this Woman did. and yes I love Mi Mi..lol

[rockqueen8503]

I COMPLETELY AGREE....NOBODY IS SINGING LIKE THIS...OR PERFORMING MATERIAL I'm 24 and I don't even listen to the crap that's out now....

[snowball1988]

im 21 and i agree, this older stuff is the best!!

[jd7779311]

This song was actually about her passing. Hurt me when I found that out. It's almost haunting. I remember when she was on the Dinah Shore Show speaking about breast cancer and how it affected her. She past away not long after that interview. Maybe 79?. I loved her songs and voice. Really done something to me. Then several years later we lost Marvin. The so-called talent that we have to settle for now-days pales in comparison. All you have to do is sing through your nose and perform half naked.

[hiiamrick]

@jd7779311: don't know dude today we have Beyonce and she ain't half stepping. What about Whitney Houston?

[hidoll22]

@jd7779311 I remember this to and I knew it was about her passing. As you say it's haunting

[arlenerogerswilhite]

@jd7779311 Hi my name is Arlene and I agree with you 100%. After I heard this song I knew it was what her true feelings were about her dying. Then she passed and that really made this song special for me! I have never found any other artist that could touch Minnie. And she was so classy. It's sad her music was not accepted by main stream hollywood but who caares! I am just glad I was able to get an earful of it! Thanks for your reply and for whoever posted this. Godspeed! Oh and her composure.

[MrMusikRnb]

@jd7779311 LMAOOO!!!....@the singing through your nose and half naked part....I love and will always love Minnie Julia Riperton

[mmemmorry]

I remember leaving high school early one day to see ROCKIT in 1980. I often wondered when it was recorded. Thanks for supplying the date. I would love to see the entire show again.

[localibran]

Man, not even Mariah Carey can hit as high as she could 1:37.....

[localibran]

She had such a beautiful voice.

[adryan108]

i think we all know MARIAH could but that shouldn't matter here. :-)

[spitnificent]

@adryan108 No disrespect but she can't hold it as long as Minnie without thinning out quickly vocally and she knows it.

[jetit]

I know That's Right..lol

[MrJboi10]

I remember i was a senior in college when this song came out... beautiful song and person... RIP Minnie..

[memeluvstlc]

She had a tumor(CANCER) under her right arm and couldn't move it in this performance.

[mscarol51]

Please check out "Everytime he comes around, and The Edge of  a Dream, 2 totally awesome tracks

[62kangaroos]

I love this song. It takes me back to my childhood. I was about 11 or 12 when this song came out.

[LuvNU75]

According to Minnie's former manager, Ken Fritz, this performance took place on April 17, 1979 in Canada. It was part of a Canadian syndicated music show called ROCKIT! Minnie did four live numbers( Lovin You, Memory Lane, Lover and Friend, If I Ever Lose This Heaven) she also did a duet with Jackie De Shannon( Put a Little Love In Your Heart). It was all done to promote her -MINNIE-album.

[MsTexas73]

Thanks for the INFO!

[SUGERCANE2000]

when i was a kid my mom would put this in the recard and put it on repeat and now that iam grown i still love this song RIP MINNIE

[youngofasho2]

My favorite Minnie song. Also,did y'all notice it said "Soulbeat Network"? The REAL 1st BLACK OWNED TV STATION in the world. It was owned 100% by the late great Chuck Johnson in Oakland,CA from 1978 to 2003.

[jazzychick98]

yea i remeber soulbeat from when i was little im 19 now i wish it still exist. iremeber dem showin karaoke and old people in a blues club lol

[youngofasho2]

that was Sweet Jimmie's club you talkin' about. Thursdays they had a lip syncing contest. classic.

[panxosolis]

By this time Minnie had perfectioned her voice reaching an unbeliveable level...She was an angel

We luv u Minnie!

[Kendu1976]

No one has a voice like that...the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. She is a woman that was truly gifted, voice like an angel.

[angelcarmichael]

This song just brings tears to my eyes everytime i hear it. Such an amazing voice and such an amazing person.

[bigjay864]

i never forget this lady in my neigborhood told me that minnie had died i thought she was lying bt i went home and turn on the radio and there i heard it i cried. it was so sad. rip minnie luv u

[ta1064]

Back in July 1979, I was 16 and away at a summer high school program when my mother called and told me that Minnie Riperton died. I recall walking alone on the college campus with "Memory Lane" playing in my mind, as well as Earth, Wind & Fire's "After the Love Has Gone."

[nakia300]

i cant stop listening 2 this song ive been playing this song since i discovered it in 1996 before that i knew the song but i did no who sung it i wish she was still around gone 2 soon

[incognitoTLM]

Minnie was ahead of my time as I was born in 77. I am a true hip hopper but one of those people who appreciates and loves good music, especially classic soul and jazz. What a void we would have in the classic soul genre if we did not have this beautiful being God blessed us with. It is a pleasure to hear her voice...RIP Minnie Ripperton.

[aceawacey]

everytime i listen to this song i love to here he sing those ohs from 3:09 to 3:13

[shiree357]

Minnie Riperton did not commit suicide, she had cancer. Know your facts before you post fiction.

[EndTimeProphetess]

I can definitely tell by the looks on her face that something is wrong. For one they were playing the song too fast. She kept looking around and making unsure looks and that tells me something was wrong even though she was performing.

[osunhoney]

My mother used to play this all the time...I travelling back down memory lane....

[beloved7256]

As soon as i stop crying i can play the video again thanks for posting, when she sings "save me " at the end , i cry every single time.

[JERRiCKKABaBy]

you guys should see he other one she did on michael douglas it almost made me cry because of the emotions and passion she sings its almost like she's saying good bye she gets really emotional and so do i she was such a strong woman she'll forever be thr greatest and remembered no one can compare

[frankoises]

She sang it with emotions and I really liked this song so I put it in my favourites.

It's true that the good die young...

[mikechitown]

truely unsung, one of the greatest female singers EVER.

[sierria64]

this was the last song that she made before dying- listen to when she says i dont want to go ....

i cried when she died - i was 12 years old

so beautiful- breast cancer has no age or race limitations

[lovejoy420]

you're so right, as a matter of fact she had right side paralysis due to the cancer but she performed live until the very end. What a brave and gifted talent! There is and never be a voice like Minnie! Loved you!

[MsTexas73]

sierra64...I cried too when she died...I was going on 6...and she was and still is my FAVORITE singer. I remember like it was yesterday when they announced on the radio that she died. I wore out my 45 of Memory Lane that week..>my Mom ended up buying me the Minnie lp.

[jnscadet]

I agree! I tears up everytime I hear this song...Minnie Ripertons voice and that bass part...brillant!

[carterboy66]

Everytime (too many to count)I watch this video my heart is filled with emotion. It's not realy sad, but very hunting. This is the voice of an angle. Pure vocal beauty. She is so precious. I with some of todays artist would honor her by do an entire album covering her songs.

[robinshood310]

I am from Oakland, Ca. Soulbeat was our local outlet for soul and R&B in the 70's, 80's and parts of the 90's. I watched this very video and fell in love with Minnie. Rest in peace to Soulbeat's founder Chuck Johnson, shout out to Al Ballard and all of the names that I remember from my childhood. I laughed at you all and your side burns and clothes then, but I am moved to tears at this moment.

TSJ of E

[S0716rj2]

I'm probably one of music's biggest critics, but never have I seen an artist sing so effortless. Simply amazing!

[jesparza562]

so far so good as a critic. i dont think there is one bad thing someone could say about minnie, she simply was R&B's best vocal performer before she died.

[laron214]

minnie was indeed ahead of her time. i don't know why people keep comparing mariah to her because minnie was first. the only comparison is that they are both sopranos. minnie we miss you.

[mistermilkman]

Mariah is actually an alto with soprano capabilities. Her whistle register is her falsetto.

[popocpd]

I miss Minnie. She was the absolute best singer. No one can and I don't think ever will touch her. She was heaven sent for real! Looking at this video, you can see in her face that she was trying to fight the cancer. Look how full her face is. That comes from the steroids you have to take to build up your system while taking the kemotheropy. Minnie, I miss you, I love you and I can't wait to hear you again when I make it to heaven.

[larrieux84]

Memory Lane is my favorite song by her and she executed so well in this performance...

So sad that this was one of her last performances..

[MrVersace]

i love this song sooooo beautiful she is amazing god bless you minnie.

[ginmarie75]

SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL!

[imamkuwna]

TALK ABOUT STRENGHTH! WOW

[MUZIKNFILMZ]

I remember the day she passed in July of 1979 and I couldn't believe such a beautiful voice had been silenced so young! We had already lost Donny Hathaway earlier, in January of that same year. Both were huge and sudden losses to the music business! Both left haunting and enduring legacies though!

[joejacky22]

Well I just learned something there. I never knew that Donny Hathaway had passed away. Thanks for the info. Besides it being ruled suicide, do you have any idea why he did it?

[MUZIKNFILMZ]

Donny suffered from mental illness (he was manic depressive & schitzephrenic). He had been hospitalized off & on for different episodes since 1973, right around and after the making of his now classic "Extensions Of A Man" album. That is why he did very limited recording & performing after that period until 1977/78, when he Roberta Flack got back together for their "Blue Lights In The Basement" sessions. You can look all this up by doing a yahoo/google or wikipedia search.

It goes into detail.

[IsrealFloresto]

did donny die in 79 as well as minnnie?

[ramardo1994]

yes they both did and both were on tha top of the charts;

[sbrownie]

thank you

[sbrownie]

if it was indeed suicide, no one knows why...it's so personal when people take their own lives...now if it wasn't suicide, it could have been a tragic accident with the LSD he allegedly took on that fateful day...either way, for BOTH to die within months of each other is surreal

[aceawacey]

she died of cancer not suicide

[mrsshannonchanel24]

God Bless you Minnie, and Rest In Peace. I know your one of God's angels singing in heaven.

[jaybruner55]

To Minnie's fans: Ebay has the August 2, 1979 Jet Magazine tribute up for auction. Go to Ebay and just type in MINNIE RIPERTON to see the auction. I have this great collectors issue.

[MsTexas73]

This video alone is proof of her strength...this is her LAST love performance...she died a few days after this aired.

[LuvNU75]

Not true...this concert took place in in March or Early April, 1979...Minnie was not performing in June or July of 1979, by then she had become too ill to make public appearances. Her last appearances were in May of 1979. The Mike Douglas performances were recorded in May too but ironically aired on July, 6th, six days before the angel died. However, she still conducted interviews via telephone during her last couple of weeks. She did not want people to buy her last album,"MINNIE," out of pity.

[MsTexas73]

Hey...thanks for your post...I learned ATER I posted this...but forgot to come in and correct myself.

Shooo...Ms. Minnie didn't need no pity buyers...the lp speaks for itself...PRICELESS...and ClASSIC...it was da bomb back in the daty...and holds its own even now. Every time I listen to it...I think about how Minnie was a head of the times on that lp. You could see where she was headed musically.

[carterboy66]

this is my favorite Youtube Video. It is so hunting, and sad. Minnie is in such great voice to be so sick. Everytime I see a video where her right arm is still It reminds me of how strong she is.

[MsTexas73]

This is the Minnie I remember. Having been born in 73' and being only 5 1/2, I didn't know she had cancer and didn't remember what she looked like before being ill. I didn't know she was ONLY 31 when she passed away until I was much older. However I DO remember hearing on the radio that she had died and being VERY shocked and sad. I played my "Memory Lane" 45'so much to the point mom bought me the WHOLE lp to give me something else of hers to listen to. Everytime I see this vid I get tears.

[xjjr]

It's so sad to see her right arm paralyzed during these 1979 performances. :(

[joejacky22]

Yes, it sure is. I'm a grown man that almost wants to cry seeing that. What a strong woman. Her passing was 3 days after I was born.

[grandhustle84]

Modern songs have no feeling anymore. This is classic, old school music, by one of my favorite artist, Minnie Ripperton. She puts so much feeling, and emotions into her live performances, kind of like Billie Holliday did when she performed "Strange Fruit".

[plugggie]

No, Minnie did this video in 1979 and she died in July of this year. Unless she was expecting when she passed away. I believe it was fluid from her illness.

[cupcakeo]

She was so beautiful!! I wonder was she pregnant on this video?

[mistermilkman]

No, she gained weight from the cancer treatments.

[MasterKhem]

It looked so good on her. I love how her face and hair was a little fuller. The most beautiful person, inside and out. RIP Minnie. Ahead of my time, but you are appreciated by this young brother