Joni Sledge

Joan Elise Sledge (September 13, 1956 – March 10, 2017^[1]), better known as Joni Sledge, was an American singer–songwriter and producer. Sledge was best known as a founding member of the American family vocal group Sister Sledge.^[2][3] Sledge performed the song "Then Came You" with the Spinners on the television music show The Midnight Special in 1975.^[4]

In addition to singing, Sledge was also a songwriter and producer. She wrote and produced the song "Brother, Brother Stop" for a Sister Sledge greatest hits album in 1996. Sledge's production of their album African Eyes which was released in 1997 was nominated for a best–production Grammy.

Sledge was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She studied at Temple University. She had one son Thaddeus Sledge.

Sledge was found dead by a friend at her home on March 11, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 60.^[5] Her death was originally considered due to unknown circumstances as she didn't have any known illnesses, according to close family sources.^[6] On March 14, 2017, Sledge's cause of death was ruled "natural causes".^[7]