Gwen Dickey interview on Colourful Radio 10-November-2024
Gwen Dickey is one of the finest female vocalists of her generation – she is the voice of Rose Royce who released their first single “Car Wash” in 1976. The single peaked at number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and sold over a million copies in United States alone. Rose Royce’s debut album Car Wash was released the same year and sold over two million copies worldwide, winning a Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack Album in 1977. The album’s final single “I’m Going Down, peaked at number 70 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached number ten on the R&B singles chart.
The group’s second album Rose Royce II: In Full Bloom became a platinum-seller in the United States, topped the R&B albums chart, and peaked at number nine on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. The album spawned three successful singles: “Do Your Dance (Part 1)”, “It Makes You Feel Like Dancin'”, “Ooh Boy”, and “Wishing on a Star”. The song became an international pop hit and garnered a certified silver certification in the United Kingdom.
In 1978, Rose Royce released their third album Rose Royce III: Strikes Again! which was certified gold in the United States. The album spawned two top-ten R&B singles: “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” and “I’m in Love (And I Love the Feeling)”. In 1979, Rose Royce released their fourth album Rose Royce IV: Rainbow Connection, the final album to feature vocals with Gwen.
Gwen was injured in a fall from a ladder at her home in London in 2010. The injury to Gwen’s spine confined her to a wheelchair but this has not stopped her performing globally to loving audiences. Recently she has been having therapy and has been training to stand. It’s early days and the treatment will take time – but Gwen does not give up. At anything!
“If I’m Gonna Be With You” was the last song to be recorded when making the EP in New Orleans, Louisiana. It becomes the first single for everyone to listen and enjoy.
“This is Gwen Dickey”, featuring four tracks and marks Gwen Dickey’s first solo recordings since the 1990’s. As the legendary Voice of Rose Royce, Gwen has sold millions of records worldwide with classics like the Grammy-winning “Car Wash,” “Wishing on a Star,” “I’m Going Down,” “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore,” and many others.