Dee Dee Sharp: The Voice of Philadelphia Soul and Dance

Dee Dee Sharp is an American singer who became a defining voice of the early 1960s dance craze era. Hailing from Philadelphia, her 1962 single Mashed Potato Time soared to number two on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing her status as a teen idol and a hitmaker for the legendary Cameo-Parkway label.

Early career

Born Dione LaRue in 1945 in Philadelphia, she began singing in her church choir. Her professional break arrived as a backup vocalist for Cameo-Parkway, where she contributed to sessions for artists like Chubby Checker.

This studio work quickly led to her own recording opportunity. The label needed a vocalist for a dance record, and Sharp's powerful voice was chosen, launching her solo career almost overnight.

Breakthrough

Dee Dee Sharp's breakthrough was immediate and massive in 1962. Her debut single, Mashed Potato Time, was a direct answer to the dance craze phenomenon and became a national sensation.

The song reached number two on the Billboard pop chart and sold over one million copies, earning a gold certification. This success established Cameo-Parkway as a hit factory and made Sharp, still a teenager, a star.

Key tracks

Mashed Potato Time — This 1962 debut was her signature hit, a gold-selling phenomenon that defined the dance craze era and launched her career.

Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes) — A successful and clever follow-up single later in 1962 that also charted in the Top 10, proving her initial success was no fluke.

Ride! — This 1962 duet with Chubby Checker became another major hit, showcasing her chemistry with the label's biggest star and further dominating the charts.

Do the Bird — A 1963 release that continued her streak of dance instruction records, demonstrating the potent formula she and Cameo-Parkway had mastered.

Slow Twistin' — Another notable duet with Chubby Checker from 1962, which capitalized on the popularity of the twist dance craze.

Following this incredible run of hits, Dee Dee Sharp remained a consistent presence on the R&B and pop charts throughout the mid-1960s. She released several albums on Cameo-Parkway, including the successful It's Mashed Potato Time and Do the Bird.

As the British Invasion changed the musical landscape, Sharp adapted, moving toward a deeper soul sound. She continued recording for various labels, including Atco and TSOP, into the 1970s and beyond, showcasing her vocal versatility beyond dance numbers.

Fans of Dee Dee Sharp's energetic Philadelphia soul sound may also enjoy the music of Chubby Checker, her frequent duet partner and fellow dance craze pioneer. The classic girl-group harmonies of The Shirelles share a similar early-60s pop-R&B spirit. For the smooth Philadelphia soul that followed, explore The Stylistics and their lush balladry. The powerful vocals of Aretha Franklin represent the gospel-rooted strength that also informed Sharp's singing.

Dee Dee Sharp's classic hits remain a staple on oldies radio stations and dedicated soul music channels. Her recordings are regularly featured on specialty programs focusing on 1960s American pop, dance music history, and the Philadelphia sound across numerous online radio streams.

The music of Dee Dee Sharp, a key architect of the early 1960s dance and soul movement, can be heard on radio stations featured here. Listeners can discover her enduring catalog through the classic hits and soul stations available on onairium.com.