The Ritchie Family facts for kids

The Ritchie Family is an American singing group from Philadelphia. They had many popular songs during the disco era. The group has reunited and still performs today. Their newest song, "Whatcha Got," came out in 2021.

How the Group Started

The Ritchie Family wasn't a real family! It was created by Jacques Morali, who also started the famous group Village People. The group got its name from a music producer named Richie Rome, who added an extra 'T' to his name for the group.

The first three singers were Cassandra Ann Wooten, Gwendolyn Oliver, and Cheryl Mason Jacks. Cassandra and Gwendolyn were also part of another girl group called Honey & the Bees. Their manager was Jimmy Bishop, a well-known radio person in Philadelphia. Jacques Morali remembered Cassandra and Gwendolyn from some past recording work. A few years later, when he wanted to form a new group, he called them, and that's how The Ritchie Family began.

After their first album, Brazil, they had more success with the Arabian Nights album. Their next albums, Life Is Music (which had a 1930s theme) and African Queens, were not as big of a hit. Each of these four albums was a concept album. This means all the songs on the album followed a similar idea, like the album's title. Each album also had a long mix of songs, usually lasting 15 to 20 minutes.

The First Singers and Their Hits

The group's first big song was a new version of a 1930s song called "Brazil". It became a Top 20 hit in the United States in 1975. The album, also called Brazil, sold very well. This first album actually featured other singers, not the group members who would later perform live.

Later in 1975, Jacques Morali contacted Cassandra Wooten and Nadine Felder from Honey & the Bees to perform as The Ritchie Family. Nadine wasn't interested. So, Cassandra Wooten, Cheryl Mason-Jacks, and Gwendolyn Oliver (Cassandra's former bandmate) auditioned. They sang a bit of "Brazil" and got the job! They became the faces of The Ritchie Family.

In 1976, they started recording their next album, Arabian Nights. The main song from this album was "The Best Disco in Town". This song was a mix of popular disco tunes with a new chorus. It reached number 17 on the Pop charts and number 1 on the Dance charts. It became a huge hit around the world! The Arabian Nights album was described as amazing from start to finish. It had a travel theme, starting in Istanbul and ending at a Persian Market. It felt like a Hollywood movie with lively music and disco glamour.

Phil Hurtt, who had worked with Honey & the Bees, helped the singers with their vocal arrangements. He knew how to bring out the best in each singer: Gwendolyn's sweet voice, Cassandra's soulful sound, and Cheryl's powerful vocals. This helped make the album a mix of disco-pop with some Philly soul style. This was also the last album that Ritchie Rome worked on. He left, and Horace Ott took over for future albums.

In 1977, the album Life Is Music was released. The song "Life Is Music" reached number 102 on the Pop charts and number 8 on the Dance charts.

Their next album, African Queens, also had a theme, celebrating three famous African queens. The music had a stronger, more European disco beat. In July 1977, a big campaign was launched for the African Queens album. This included billboards, kites, tote bags, and T-shirts. There were also full-color photos of Cassandra Wooten, Gwendolyn Oliver, and Cheryl Mason Jacks dressed as queens like Nefertiti, Cleopatra, and the Queen of Sheba. The album also included the song "Quiet Village".

Changes in the Group

In 1978, Cassandra, Gwendolyn, and Cheryl were suddenly replaced. It was a big surprise to them and even to their songwriter, Phil Hurtt. New singers Jacqui Smith-Lee, Theodosia "Dodie" Draher, and Ednah Holt took their places. It's thought that Jacques Morali had already planned to find new members. Gwendolyn Oliver stopped performing. Cassandra Wooten and Cheryl Mason-Jacks later formed a group called CasMiJac with Michelle Simpson.

Later Years and New Singers

The 1978 album, American Generation, featured the new singers. It was a bit different from their usual disco sound, leaning more towards Europop. One of the songs was even called "I Feel Disco Good."

Later, Ednah Holt left the group. Vera Brown became the new lead singer. The group had another hit song with "Put Your Feet to the Beat."

The Ritchie Family, with Vera Brown, Jacqui Smith-Lee, and Dodie Draher, then recorded the Give Me A Break album. This album included the popular songs "Give Me a Break" and "Never Be Able to Set You Free." They continued to release albums, including I'll Do My Best (For You Baby) and All Night All Right (1983). By this time, Dodie Draher had left, and Linda James joined the group.

In 1980, The Ritchie Family appeared with the Village People in the movie Can't Stop the Music. The movie wasn't very successful, but the soundtrack album sold well in some places. Around this time, disco music started to become less popular in many parts of the world, like the USA.

The group eventually decided to split up. Vera Brown later reformed The Ritchie Family with Dodie Draher and Jacqui Smith-Lee, but they didn't release new music. The group had its biggest sales when Cassandra Wooten, Cheryl Mason-Jacks, and Gwendolyn Oliver were the members.

Other Projects

CasMiJac

CasMiJac was a group of background singers made up of Michelle Simpson, Cassandra Wooten, and Cheryl Mason Jacks.

After leaving The Ritchie Family, Cassandra and Cheryl tried to form a new group. In 1980, they joined Michelle Simpson to sing background vocals on John Lennon's Double Fantasy album. They worked on songs like " (Just Like) Starting Over" and "Woman". The women were talking about going on tour with John Lennon, but sadly, he passed away, and that opportunity ended. After that, they focused on new careers and their families.

Other Work

Cheryl Mason Dorman sang a song called "Whatever He Says, Just Do It!" on a Christian album called Pacita's Friends in 2007. Gwendolyn Oliver, who was married to musician Fred Wesley, chose a quieter life. She was a dedicated Christian and very involved in her church. Gwendolyn passed away on November 27, 2020, at age 71.

The Group Reunites

When the group decided to reunite, Cheryl Mason-Dorman and Cassandra Wooten first worked with Michelle Simpson (from CasMiJac). Later, they teamed up with Renee Guilory-Wearing. Now, the reformed group includes original members Cassandra Wooten and Cheryl Mason-Dorman, along with new member Renee Guilory-Wearing. They have started touring again.

The Ritchie Family is featured in Jim Arena's book First Ladies of Disco, which came out in June 2013. In July 2016, The Ritchie Family released a song called "Ice" on Martha Wash's record label. This song was later remixed into six different versions.

Group Members Over Time

Music Albums

Studio Albums

Compilation Albums

• Greatest Hits (1990)
• The Best Disco in Town: The Best of the Ritchie Family (1994)

Singles

• "—" means the song did not chart or was not released in that area.

Soundtracks

• 1979: Je Te Tiens, Tu Me Tiens Par La Barbichette
• 1980: Can't Stop the Music