Singer, actress, and activist Helen Reddy passed away on 29 September 2020. This Timeline was built to celebrate her life and her amazing work.
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Join MemoriesMary Carr Born on 25 October 1941, Helen Maxine Reddy was welcomed into the world by her actress mother Stella Campbell and her writer, producer, and director father Max Reddy. She was in the Australian vaudeville circuit at age four together with her parents. "It was instilled in me,” Helen said. “You will be a star. So between the ages of 12 and 17, I got rebellious and decided this was not for me. I was going to be a housewife and mother".
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Mary Carr Helen Reddy married Kenneth Claude Weate, a fellow musician and family friend.
Mary Carr Helen Reddy gave birth to her daughter, Traci. She and Kenneth divorced not long after. To make ends meet as a single mother, Helen went back to performing.
Mary Carr She arrived in New York City to audition for Mercury Records, as a prize for winning a talent contest on the Australian pop music TV show, Bandstand. The audition was unsuccessful and despite having only $200 with her, Helen Reddy opted to remain in the United States with her daughter Traci to pursue her singing career.
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Mary Carr She met Jeff Wald in a fundraising party which was organised for her by a fellow Australian. Helen Reddy and Jeff Wald fell in love at first sight and got married just three days after first meeting. The family moved to Chicago where Helen would sing in local lounges. She eventually got a record deal with Fontana Records and released her first single, “One Way Ticket”.
Mary Carr "I Am Woman" original music video "Oh yes, I am wise / But it's wisdom born of pain. / Yes, I've paid the price / But look how much I gained. / If I have to, I can do anything. / I am strong / I am invincible / I am woman," Australian-born pop artist Helen Reddy sings on her pivotal '70s anthem, "I Am Woman." Source: youtu.be/ojtCzCyJakE
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Mary Carr Helen Reddy shot to stardom in 1972 when her single “I Am Woman” hit the Number 1 spot at the Billboard Hot 100. Co-written with Ray Burton, Helen poured all of her frustration in not finding a song that reflects her feelings after joining the women’s movement. It quickly became the anthem for the women’s movement and Helen Reddy won a Grammy Award for the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
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Mary Carr Helen Reddy bagged Grammy's Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1973 Source: youtu.be/HWkk9rKZyZU
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Mary Carr Helen Reddy was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 23 July 1974.
Mary Carr Helen Reddy played Nora in the Walt Disney Pictures film “Pete’s Dragon”. She also sang the song “Candle on the Water,” which was nominated for an Academy Award for the Best Original Song in 1977.
Mary Carr Reddy playing Nora (Pete's Dragon)
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Mary Carr Helen Reddy starred in her own show, “Helen Reddy Live at the London Palladium” in 1978.
Mary Carr Helen Reddy hosted “The Helen Reddy Special”, broadcasted in May 1979.
Mary Carr Helen Reddy's Love Boat appearance Source: https://youtu.be/rAfm5filANo
Mary Carr Helen Reddy guest-starred in The Love Boat in December 1980. Other shows where she made an appearance include: Fantasy Island, The Jeffersons, Diagnosis: Murder, and BeastMaster.
Mary Carr Helen Reddy released her debut album “Play Me Out” with her new label, MCA Records, in May 1981.
Mary Carr Source: https://youtu.be/X-ic-dBogCw
“I Can’t Say Goodbye To You” one of the best love songs ever created, was released on May 23, 1981, as part of Reddy’s album “Play Me Out.”
Mary Carr Helen Reddy started performing on stage on Broadway and the West End. She played Reno Sweeney in the musical “Anything Goes” at the Sacramento Music Circus in July 1985.
Mary Carr In 1990, she released an album on her own label, “Feel So Young”. It included remakes of Helen Reddy’s favourite songs.
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Mary Carr The album “Center Stage” came out in 1997 and included show tunes that Helen Reddy Recorded for Varèse Sarabande
Mary Carr Helen Reddy announced her retirement in 2002 with a farewell performance with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.
Mary Carr Helen Reddy was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame in August 2006.
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Mary Carr Helen Reddy returned to the musical stage for a benefit concert for the arts in July 2012.
Mary Carr Helen Reddy recorded a cover of “All You Need Is Love” for the “Keep Calm and Salute the Beatles” album.
Mary Carr “I Am Woman”, a biographical film about Helen Reddy’s life was released. She was played by Tilda Cobham-Hervey.
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Mary Carr Helen Reddy passed away at the age of 78 on the 29th September 2020. She suffered from Addison’s disease and dementia.