Vesta Williams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vesta Williams
Background information
Birth name	Mary Vesta Williams
Born	(1957-12-01)December 1, 1957 Coshocton, Ohio, U.S.
Died	September 22, 2011(2011-09-22) (aged 53) El Segundo, California, U.S.
Genres	R&B soul funk pop jazz
Occupation(s)	Singer–songwriter actress
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1985–2011
Labels	A&M PolyGram
Associated acts	Teena Marie Anita Baker Deniece Williams Al Jarreau CeCe Peniston George Duke Phyllis Hyman James Ingram Angela Bofill Luther Vandross Chaka Khan El Debarge Gladys Knight

Mary Vesta Williams (born December 1, 1957 – died September 22, 2011) was an American singer and songwriter. She was known for her amazing four-octave vocal range. This means she could sing very high and very low notes! Vesta sang different types of music, including pop, jazz, and R&B.

Even though her albums didn't become "gold" (meaning they didn't sell half a million copies), Vesta had many popular songs. Six of her songs reached the Top 10 on the US Billboard R&B chart. Some of her well-known hits include "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" (1986), "Sweet Sweet Love" (1988), and "Special" (1991). Her signature song, "Congratulations," came out in 1989.

About Vesta Williams

Vesta Williams was born in Coshocton, Ohio. Her father was a disc jockey, someone who plays music on the radio. In the 1960s, her family moved to Los Angeles, California. Vesta and her three sisters, Margaret, Marte, and Marlena, even appeared on a TV show called Jack and Jill as "The Williams Sisters."

Starting Her Music Career

After a while, Vesta moved back to Ohio. But she soon decided to return to Los Angeles to become a solo singer. Ron Townson, a member of the famous group The 5th Dimension, invited Vesta to join his band, Wild Honey.

Later, Vesta became a backup singer for many famous artists. She sang with stars like Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Sting, and Anita Baker. She also sang on a song called "The Survivor" by Joe Sample.

First Albums and Hit Songs

Vesta signed a record deal with A&M Records. Her first album, Vesta, was released in 1986. It featured her first Top 10 R&B hit, "Once Bitten, Twice Shy." This song was also her only hit in the UK.

In 1988, she released her album Vesta 4 U. This album had more Top 10 R&B hits like "Sweet Sweet Love," "4 U," and "Congratulations." "Congratulations" was her most popular song, reaching number 55 on the Hot 100 chart and number 5 on the R&B chart. Vesta 4 U was her most successful album.

Her third album, Special, came out in 1991. The song "Special" became her highest-charting R&B song, reaching number 2. In 1993, she released Everything-N-More, which had a smaller hit called "Always."

Later Career and Other Work

In 1998, Vesta released the album Relationships. After this, her record label did not renew her contract. However, Vesta continued to work as a backup singer for artists like Phil Perry and George Duke.

You might have heard Vesta's voice in many commercials! She sang jingles for popular brands like McDonald's, Nike, Coca-Cola, and Revlon. She also sang the opening song for the TV miniseries The Women of Brewster Place.

Vesta also tried acting. In 1993, she played a saloon singer in the movie Posse. She also had a recurring role as Monica, the best friend of Jackée Harry's character, in the TV series Sister, Sister from 1998 to 1999. Her singing voice was also featured in the theme song for the TV show Malcolm and Eddie.

In 2007, Vesta released an album called Distant Lover. This album featured her singing cover versions of songs by famous artists like Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye. Her very last song, "Dedicated," was released in 2010.

Radio and Health Advocacy

By 2002, Vesta became a radio host. She co-hosted a morning show on KRNB in Dallas/Fort Worth. Vesta also lost a lot of weight and became an advocate for preventing childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes. She wanted to help kids stay healthy.

Vesta's last performance was on September 17, 2011, in Portsmouth, Virginia. This was just five days before she passed away.

Vesta Williams' Passing

Vesta Williams passed away on September 22, 2011, in a hotel room in El Segundo, California. After a detailed investigation, the cause of her death was determined to be "natural death" from "hypertensive heart disease." This means she had an enlarged heart that went undetected for many years.

Vesta Williams was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills on October 4, 2011. A memorial service was held at West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles. Many friends and fellow artists attended to remember her.

Vesta is remembered by her mother, her daughter, her three sisters, a brother, and three grandchildren.

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

• Winning Combinations (with CeCe Peniston) (2000, A&M/Universal)

Singles

Music videos

• Once Bitten Twice Shy
• Something About You
• Don't Blow a Good Thing
• Sweet Sweet Love
• 4 U
• Congratulations
• How You Feel
• Special
• Do Ya
• Always
• Somebody for Me
• Dedicated