Joni Sledge no more

Los Angeles March 12 (IANS) Joni Sledge the singer best known for the disco anthem We are family has died. She was 60.

Sledge who formed Sister Sledge with her three siblings in 1971 was found unresponsive by a friend at her home in Phoenix Arizona her publicist said.

She had not been ill and the cause of death is unknown reports bbc.com.

Sledge who is survived by her adult son last performed with the band in October.

Her death was announced on social media on Saturday -- a week before the group were due to perform in Los Angeles.

A statement released on Facebook read: Yesterday numbness fell upon our family. We are saddened to inform you that our dear sister mother aunt niece and cousin Joni passed away yesterday. We miss her and hurt for her presence her radiance and the sincerity with which she loved and embraced life.

Aside from the Grammy-nominated We are family the hit which sold more than a million copies after it was released in 1978 the group also was known for He s the greatest dancer Lost in the music and a cover of the Motown classic My guy.

--IANS
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