Norma Jean Wright, Alfa Anderson & Luci Martin – Former Ladies of Chic
Alfa Anderson, Luci Martin and Norma Jean Wright, first came to national attention as the original lead vocalists of the powerhouse multi-platinum recording group Chic.
Alongside producers Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, with drummer Tony Thompson these legendary ladies delivered style, sophistication and soul, and made Chic synonymous with infectious hooks and timeless grooves.
Their story begins in 1977, when CHIC’s gold-selling eponymous debut featured Norma Jean Wright as the group’s first lead vocalist. The album generated a pair of chart-topping disco hits, “Everybody Dance” and the Grammy-nominated “Dance, Dance, Dance,” which included Alfa Anderson on background vocals. Luci Martin joined shortly thereafter and accompanied Norma Jean on leads during CHIC’s first tour. When Rodgers and Edwards produced Norma Jean’s self-titled solo debut, yielding her hit single “Saturday,” Alfa stepped in and fronted CHIC with Luci Martin. Alfa’s lead vocals on “I Want Your Love” helped propel C’est CHIC (1978) to number one on the R&B albums chart as “Le Freak” topped the pop, R&B, and disco charts, and became the biggest-selling single in the history of Atlantic Records. Risqué (1979) spawned “Good Times” — CHIC’s second number one pop single — and spotlighted Luci’s lead on the smash UK hit “My Feet Keep Dancing.”
Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, Alfa, Luci, and Norma Jean also lent background vocals to the CHIC Organization’s high profile productions for a number of artists. Alfa and Norma sang on the Grammy-nominated title track to We Are Family (1979) by Sister Sledge, which instantly became a worldwide anthem. Before singing on I Love My Lady (1981) by Johnny Mathis, Alfa and Luci contributed vocals to Diana Ross’ number one R&B album diana (1980).
Following their tenure in CHIC, each of these ladies worked with an array of music icons including Aretha Franklin, Mick Jagger, Madonna, Bryan Adams, Melba Moore, and Bryan Ferry. Alfa toured with Luther Vandross and founded Voices of Shalom while Luci and Norma formed a duo and brought disco hits to new generations of listeners. Parallel to each vocalist’s many creative pursuits, CHIC’s seminal contributions to popular music were recognized by some of the music industry’s most prestigious organizations, including several nominations for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Today Alfa, Luci, and Norma Jean performs throughout the world, and their sound takes you back to the era of Studio 54, when dancing was a way of life or it simply reminds you that “good music like good times”, should last forever.
