Lalomie Washburn (June 9 1944 – June 20 2005) was an American singer‑songwriter associated with soul, funk, and disco music. Primarily active from the late 1960s through the 1980s, she worked as a backing vocalist for prominent artists and contributed original compositions to a variety of recording projects.
Early life and education
Washburn was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Details of her early musical training and education are not extensively documented in publicly available sources.
Career
Backing vocalist
During the 1970s, Washburn performed as a background singer for several well‑known acts, most notably for Barry White and his Love Unlimited Orchestra. She also provided vocal support for artists such as The Temptations and The O'Jays.
Songwriting
Washburn authored songs that were recorded by other performers, including “The Love I Lost” for The O'Jays and “I Love You” for The Temptations. Her songwriting credits appear on a range of soul and R&B releases from the 1970s.
Solo work
In 1979, Washford released her debut solo album, My Music Is Hot, which featured a blend of funk, disco, and soul styles. The record produced the single “I’m Goin’ to a Party,” which received modest airplay on R&B radio stations. Subsequent solo releases included the 1984 album The Lalomie Washburn Experience, though neither achieved significant commercial success.
Later years and death
After the decline of disco in the early 1980s, Washburn continued to work intermittently as a session vocalist and occasional live performer. She died on June 20 2005 in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 61. The cause of death has not been widely reported.
Legacy
While not a mainstream chart‑topper, Washburn is remembered within the soul and disco communities for her versatile vocal ability and contributions to the recordings of several high‑profile artists of the era. Her work is cited in retrospective discussions of 1970s R&B and disco production.
