Roberta Kelly facts for kids

Roberta Kelly (born November 23, 1942) is an American singer known for her disco and urban contemporary gospel music. Between 1976 and 1978, she had three popular songs on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts. Her biggest hit, "Trouble-Maker", was number one for two weeks!

From 1975 to 1983, Roberta also sang backup for other artists. She worked with Thelma Houston and on many albums by the famous singer Donna Summer.

Roberta Kelly's Music Journey

Roberta Kelly grew up in Los Angeles, California. In August 1972, she traveled to Munich, West Germany. She went there during the Olympic Games to follow her dream of becoming a singer.

Before releasing music in the US, Roberta recorded a song in Germany in 1974. It was called "Kung Fu Is Back Again" and was released by Atlantic Records. This song was produced by Pete Bellotte and Giorgio Moroder, who would become very important in her career. In 1974, she also sang for a group that later became known as the Silver Convention.

In 1975, she released "Love Power." This song was a cover version of an older hit. In April 1976, Roberta moved into the disco music scene. She released the single "Trouble-Maker" and an album with the same name. The album had five songs, including a longer version of "Love Power."

In 1977, Roberta released her album Zodiac Lady. This album was very popular on dance floors around the world. It featured the hit song "Zodiacs," which was played a lot in clubs and on the radio. "Zodiacs" reached number 24 on the US dance chart in 1977. It also reached number 44 in the UK Singles Chart in 1978. Other songs like "Funky Stardust" and "Love Sign" were also released from this album. Both Trouble-Maker and Zodiac Lady were produced by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte.

In March 1978, Roberta released Gettin' the Spirit. This album was special because it featured gospel songs sung in a disco style. It included dance versions of "Oh Happy Day" and "To My Father's House." These two songs were released together as a single. The album also had a disco version of "My Sweet Lord." Gettin' the Spirit reached number 9 on the US Hot Dance/Club Play chart in 1978.

Later, in 1979, Roberta released a single called "John Paul II." This song was about Pope John Paul II. The other side of the single, "Tribute to Love," appeared on her 1980 album, Roots Can Be Anywhere. By this time, Roberta was with a different record company. Two songs from this album, "Kabacka Shaka" and "Roots Can Be Anywhere," were released as singles.

In 1981, Roberta Kelly released the album Tell Me in Italy. It included the song "Patty Cake." This album was one of the last attempts to bring back disco music. After that, Roberta didn't release new music until 1995. That year, she released The Sound of Color and "Jubilee in Germany." These celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.

In 2008, Roberta Kelly returned with a new single. It was called "America (The Sound of Colour Realized)."

Discography

Albums

• 1976: Trouble-Maker
• 1977: Zodiac Lady
• 1978: Gettin' the Spirit
• 1980: Roots Can Be Anywhere
• 1980: This Is Roberta Kelly
• 1981: Tell Me
• 1995: Sound of Color

Singles

• 1974: "Kung Fu Is Back Again"
• 1975: "Love Power"
• 1976: "Trouble-Maker"
• 1977: "Zodiacs"
• 1977: "Love Sign"
• 1977: "Funky Stardust"
• 1977: "I'm Sagittarius"
• 1978: "Oh Happy Day"
• 1978: "Gettin' the Spirit"
• 1979: "John Paul II"
• 1980: "Roots Can be Anywhere"
• 1980: "Kabacka Shacka"
• 1981: "Patty Cake"
• 2008: "America (The Sound of Colour Realized)"

See also

• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart