Music Minute!

Minnie Riperton

Did you know that prior to her career breakthrough as a recording artist, Minnie Riperton was popular for singing radio jingles?

Riperton was classically trained in Opera, and quite skilled at performing Pop, R&B, Soul and even Rock music. However, it took some time before her solo career became successful so in addition to joining a singing group known as The Gems, Riperton crafted commercial jingles for radio.

Among the brands that Riperton supported were Dial soap and Butterfinger candy bars. Watch her talk about her early career and even perform some of the jingles in one of the last interviews before her death in 1979 below (starting at 2:20):

Photo Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Now you know!