Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Five-time Grammy Award winning vocalist of such soul classics “Walk On By”, “Do You Know The Way To San Jose”, “I Say A Little Prayer.”
DOB: December 12th In: Orange, NJ
Childhood Heroes: “Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne.”
Favorite Movies: “Raiders Of The Lost Ark – love that film. In fact, I watched it last night. I watch it on video every time I get the urge. I saw it about five times in the theater. Also – Valley Of The Dolls and Hurricane.”
Musical Tastes: “My favorite group is Earth, Wind & Fire. I was listening to Sarah Vaughn’s Brazilian Romance album last night. You caught me at a good time. Also, jazz, George Benson and Grover Washington.”
Favorite TV Shows: “Bob Barker and his beauties (The Price is Right)…Come on down [laughs]!! Jeopardy at 7 and Wheel of Fortune at 7:30. I’m serious. And I don’t miss them. Only time I miss them is when I’m in Brazil.”
Pre-Performance Feeling: “I was singing before people when I was six. No problem there at all. My attitude is…they’ve come to see me. They’re people who came to hear what I do.”
Funny Career Memory: “The first appearance on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand (in 1963), promoting my first record “Don’t Make Me Over.” The zipper on my dress broke during the interview and Dick Clark was holding my dress together [laughs].”
Favorite Meal: “My mom’s chicken and dumplings.”
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “Cheerios.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”
Greatest Career Moment: “Oh well, there were so many. Every single one of them has been a great moment. My first Grammy – “San Jose.” First gold record – “San Jose.” First platinum album – “Dionne” on Arista Records. First Royal Command Performance in London for the Queen of England (in 1968). First female to win Grammy’s in the same night (’79), in the two highest categories – “Female Artist” and “Pop Female Artist R&B.” And the birth of my two sons (David, Damon).”
Most Painful Moment: “I don’t know if I had any. I guess…seeing what I think was a good project, go down the tubes. For a lack of promotion.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “I like people with honesty…and that’s rare [laughs].”
Residence: South Orange, N.J.
