Sad to hear about the passing of legendary Detroit singer Ortheia Barnes-Kennerly. She died Friday in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where she went for a performance.


Ortheia recorded in the 1960s for Detroit's Mickay Records and Coral Records. While never signing with Motown Records, she opened for a number of its stars, including Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight.

In the early 90's she owned a small club on 8 Mile where I worked for her as a DJ. I remember her as being a sweet person with a voice that could blow the doors off the place nightly.

RIP Ortheia.