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With the news of Alfa Anderson’s death at age 78, one of the lasting voices of disco was silenced. First as a session singer for Chic, Anderson sang backup on their early hits “Everybody Dance” and “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)” as part of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards’ fledgling outfit. Then, as a front person, Anderson helped power dancefloor anthems like “Good Times,” “Le Freak,” “My Forbidden Lover” and “I Want Your Love,” defining the group vocally and visually.

Before Chic, Anderson had left her mark working with...

Alfa Anderson, an early lead vocalist for Chic who sang on hits including “Good Times” and “Le Freak,” died on Dec. 17 at age 78. Chic bandmate Nile Rodgers confirmed the news.

“Thank you for everything,” Rodgers wrote on Tuesday, Dec. 17 on Instagram, sharing a montage of photos of him and Anderson, and the band. Chic’s “At Last I Am Free,” one of Anderson’s solo features from 1978 sophomore album C’est Chic, soundtracks the tribute. “Rip Alfa Anderson. Chic organization,” it reads over the montage. “Forever loved.” No further details about her death were given.

Alfa Anderson, the one-time lead vocalist of Chic who sang on classic disco songs including “Le Freak,” “Good Times,” and “I Want Your Love,” has died at the age of 78.

Nile Rodgers, the leader of Chic, shared news of Anderson’s passing on social media on Saturday. A cause of death was not disclosed.

After getting her start as a backing vocalist for artists such as Dionne Warwick and Roy Buchanan and vocal work on The Wiz soundtrack, Anderson auditioned for a role in Chic in 1977. She assumed co-lead vocalist following the departure of Norma Jean Wright in 1978 and went on to sing on some of the group’s biggest solo hits. She was also featured on Chic’s collaborations with artists including Sister Sledge (“We Are Family”), Diana Ross (Diana), and Johnny Mathis (I Love My Lady).

Following Chic’s initial disbandment in 1983, Anderson toured internationally with Luther Vandross.

Since his days as a 2003 “American Idol” contestant – and subsequent victor – Ruben Studdard has received one request: cover the music of singer-composer Luther Vandross. Studdard even heard as much from his mother Emily after his “Idol” win. The resemblance of two big men with dynamic tenor voices and winding interpolative skills is certainly striking. Studdard all but sealed his fate in regard to the late Luther when a licensing snafu caused the then-contestant to cover “Superstar,” the 1969 Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell tune for which Vandross lent his grand interpretative skills in 1983.

From the stage of the Keswick Theatre in the Philadelphia suburb of Glenside, Penn. on Saturday, Studdard confessed to all-of-the-above while elegantly channeling Vandross for his “Ruben Sings Luther” showcase. Based on the recently-released Seg Music album of the same name, the “Velvet Teddy Bear” appropriated much of the late tenor’s nuances without mimicking too much of Vandross’ athleticism.

Popular culture has dubbed the disco genre to be dead for years. Whatever the musical styling's current status, certain artists are making sure it gets resuscitated and stays that way.

Disco Ball is the latest big name event celebrating the '70s sensation of disco. The ball will take place on at 8 p.m. Et February 25 at the Hard Rock Live concert venue of the Hollywood, Fla., entertainment locale the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with a formidable set list full of big name musical acts spanning multiple generations.

Whether you prefer your music with or without afros, bellbottoms and rhinestones, the event will bring something to appeal to all musical tastes with Trammps; Tavares; the Sugarhill Gang; France Joli; Martha Wash, formerly of the Weather Girls; former Chic group members Norma Jean Wright and Luci Martin; Bonnie Pointer; Lime; and Angelo Venuto and his band, Voices rounding out the evening's lineup of entertainment.