Wardell Piper - Exclusive Interview - Thur, Nov 17, 2016 - 7:00 PM PST

Wardell started her tenure in music at the tender age of five, singing with her siblings   

Dee, Charlita, and Glenn as "The Piper Children" under the direction of their mother, Lois.

Wardell decided at the age of seven after seeing "The Supremes" on the Ed Sullivan show, that she wanted to entertain.

After moving from Albany, NY to Philadelphia, Wardell met Rochelle Fleming, Malanie McSears, and Annette Guest to become The Debonnetts/First Choice from 1968-1973. Wardell recorded in 1971-1972 with the group three hits: "This is the House Where Love Died, One Step Away, & Armed and Extremely Dangerous". Shortly thereafter, she exited to pursue a solo career as opening act for The Three Degrees, Rudy Ray Moore, The Spinners at Club Harlem, Atlantic City.

She also opened for Frankie Beverly & Raw Soul at the Inn Towner, Philadelphia. 

In 1977, Wardell met Reuben Cross, and John Fitch who had written "Shame" for Evelyn "Champagne" King, and produced Wardell's first LP on Midsong Records in 1978, entitled "Wardell Piper". 1978, 1979, 1980 hits, "Captain Boogie & Supersweet" catapulted her to #33 & #20 on the Billboard R&B charts.

Wardell performed twice in NYC at Paradise Garage for Frankie Crocker in 1979, as well as other clubs & venues. She has appeared on various TV shows in the U.S. & Canada, and in 1980 was opening act for Sylvester at Constitution Hall in Washington, DC.

Wardell's follow-up recording efforts for Midsong produced by John "Monster Orchestra" Davis, featured an Ashford & Simpson remake entitled "Gimme Something Real" which entered Billboard at #59 on the Billboard R&B charts. 

The b-side "Power of Love" was recently remixed by Tom Moulton, re-emerging in the clubs both in the U.S. and overseas.