R.I.P. Evette Benton (The Sweethearts of Sigma) 7th Nov 2021

Reports are coming in from various sources (e.g. Soulful Detroit) about the death of Evette Leontine Benton. A name you may or may not be familiar with but you will almost certainly have heard her voice if you've been listening to 70s/80s soul music, as she was a member of The Sweeties aka The Sweethearts of Sigma, The Philadelphia Angels. They were Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records equivalent of Motown's The Andantes as they were the main backup singers used on so many recordings.

The trio included Benton, Barbara Ingram and Ingram's cousin Carla Benson. Benson is now the only surviving member as Ingram died in 1994. She released a single on Butch Ingram's (Barbara's brother) Society Hill in May 2021 which was her solo version of MFSB's "Tell Me Why" on which she provided lead vocals for on the original. 

They are all from Camden, NJ, and were discovered by Thom Bell (who was married to a friend of Barbara Ingram's sister Frankie) in 1972 and were hence often referred to as Tommy's Girls.

They can be heard on recordings by Patti LaBelle, The Spinners, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes Teddy Pendergrass, Billy Paul, Barbara Mason, The Stylistics, Archie Bell & The Drells, Trammps, Major Harris, Manhattans, Tymes, Eddie Kenricks, the list goes on, virtually anyone and everyone who recorded at the famed Sigma Sound Studios, including Elton John.

As far as I'm aware, Evette Benton didn't record any solo material.

There is a detailed history about The Sweeties on SoulTracks.

R.I.P Evette Benton and thank you for your contribution to the music we love. Sincere condolences to friends and family.