r.i.p.

Joni Sledge of Sister Sledge Dead at 60

Joni Sledge. Photo: Gary Wolstenholme/Redferns via Getty Images

Joni Sledge, who performed with her sisters as Sister Sledge, was found dead Friday at the age of 60. The band’s publicist, Biff Warren, said that Sledge was discovered dead in her Phoenix, Arizona, home, but no cause of death is currently clear. According to Warren, she had not been knowingly ill. A family statement shares, “On yesterday, numbness fell upon our family. We welcome your prayers as we weep the loss of our sister, mother, aunt, niece and cousin.” Joni Sledge formed Sister Sledge with sisters Debbie, Kim, and Kathy in 1971. The group didn’t hit it big until 1979, however, when they recorded the iconic “We Are Family.” Other notable songs covered by the sisters include “He’s the Greatest Dancer” and “My Guy.” While the enduring legacy of “We Are Family” was singular for Sister Sledge, the group (minus Kathy) never stopped performing, playing a concert as recently as October.

Joni Sledge of Sister Sledge Dead at 60