Helen Reddy - Greatest Hits (1976) + Bonus Debut Single

(Australian 1968–2002, 2011–2020)

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Helen Reddy was born on October 25, 1942 in Melbourne. She was the daughter of veteran entertainers, Max Reddy and Stella Lamond. Her debut as an entertainer happened at the age of four and from that point on her parents concentrated on, grooming her for stardom. Although Helen wasn't convinced that she wanted to be an entertainer, by the late fifties she was appearing on local television shows such as Swallows Juniors. The early sixties were not particularly eventful except for the fact that she entered into a short-lived marriage which produced a daughter, Traci.

The event that prompted Helen's eventual success in the US was her  winning of a TV talent contest. As a result she left Australia in 1966 with only a small amount of money and the promise of an audition with a Mercury record company. The audition didn't eventuate and Helen was forced to sing wherever she could get work which usually meant small clubs and bars.

At this point she was very broke and having trouble paying the rent for her New York apartment. Then she met Jeff Wald from the William Morris Agency at a party organised by her friends. The two took an instant shine to each other and the association which was to lead to their marriage and Helen's attaining star status had begun. They moved to Chicago and then on to Los Angeles where they settled. This was a frustrating period for Helen. She spent most of her time at home writing songs and in order to keep her spirits up she enrolled at the University of California where she obtained a degree.

Finally, after Jeff's constant hounding of Capitol Records they relented and gave Helen the opportunity to record 'I Don't Know How To Love Him' from the rock musical, 'Jesus Christ superstar'. The single made the us charts on the 20th February, 1971 and climbed to the No. 13 position. In Australia it reached No. 2 on the national charts.

Suddenly, the singer that had been long forgotten in her own country had become an international star. Two more moderate hits followed, "Crazy Love" and "No Sad Song", and two best-selling albums, 'I Don't Know How To Love Him' and 'Helen Reddy', were released. In the meantime, Helen had met up with fellow Australian, Ray Burton, and together they wrote "l Am Woman" (which was also included in her first LP). It was released as a single midway through 1972 and it soared to the No. 1 spot on the US charts in November. The record was also a smash in Australia where it peaked at No. 2. four months later. An album of the same name was released and the song virtually became Helen's signature tune.

Her next hit in the US was a song called "Peaceful" which made the charts there around March, 1973. Helen became a very busy person with her recording commitments, her hectic touring schedule with the Helen Reddy Show and the additional responsibility of rearing her second child, Jordan who was born in December, 1972.

The Helen Reddy Show 1973

Then in August, 1973 she achieved her second number one hit in the US with "Delta Dawn" and in Australia she hit the number two spot for the third time. Helen made a triumphant return to Australia in November and appeared at all the capital cities. Coinciding with her return was the release of her fourth album, 'Long Hard Climb', and a single entitled "Leave Me Alone", which became her first number one hit in Australia. 

The same year she was voted Best Female Pop Vocalist Of 1973 in the American Music Awards, received a Grammy for "l Am Woman" and was recognised as the Most Played Artist by the Music Operators of America. By now Helen was headlining her own music-variety series, Flip Wilson Presents The Helen Reddy Show .

Her next chart entry came early in 1974 with "Keep On Singing" (the lyrics of which seemed to echo her rise to stardom). Helen's debut as a movie actress came during the year when she played the part of a nun in Airport '75. Her fifth album, 'Love Song For Jeffrey' was released in June '74. In December Helen obtained her American citizenship. Late in the year she came up with a weird, but brilliant single called "Angie Baby" which, once again, made the charts here and in the States, as well as becoming her first big hit in the UK.

In 1975 Helen was signed to compere the weekly television series Midnight Special, and apparently her connection with the show caused the ratings to triple. Two more albums were issued in

the interim, 'Free And Easy' (early '75) and 'No Way To Treat A Lady' (September '75). The year probably represented the peak of her career as she was voted No. 1 Female Pop Vocalist by the record industry's top three magazines - Billboard, Casbbox and Record World.

One brilliant single, 'I Can't Hear You No More' emerged in September, 1976 and two more albums hit the stores (Helen Reddy's Greatest Hits and Music Music). At this point also, it was announced that Helen would play her first starring role in a movie for the Disney organisation to be titled Pete's Dragon.

By midway through 1976 she had sold 15 million albums, 10 million singles and had attained eight gold albums, four gold singles and three platinum albums. Once again she received awards from Cash Box and Record World in 1976, this time as Top Female Album Artist.

Of course Helen has managed to conquer the pinnacle of entertainment splendour, Las Vegas, with a multi-million dollar contract to perform at the MGM Grand Hotel. In 1977, she broadened her act there to feature dance routines and aerobatics which had been choreographed by veteran Melbourne performer, Joe Latona, whom Helen had especially flown out from Australia.

After a brief absence from the best seller lists, 'Helen's Ear Candy' album was released in Australia in April 1977. Its new sound was the result of her engaging rock producer Kim Fowley, who helped develop the updated image. Helen had ascended to a level that very few entertainers reach, in that she has achieved recognition not only from her devoted fans, but also from musicians (for her technical singing ability and intricate vocal gymnastics) and the critics (because of her imaginative and demanding stage performances). [Extract from Noel McGrath's Australian Encyclopedia of Rock, Outback Press, 1978. p252-254]

Three of her songs reached No. 1, and she'd go on to win a Grammy Award for best female vocal pop performance for the feminist anthem "I Am Woman."   

Sadly, Helen passed away this year on the 30th September at the aged 78. Reddy had been diagnosed with dementia in 2015 and had been living in a Los Angeles nursing home for retired Hollywood talent. Helen is survived by her two children Traci Donat and Jordan Sommers.

This post consists of FLACs ripped from my treasured vinyl and includes cover and label scans. This album still finds its way onto my turntable, especially when I'm reminiscing about my late mum, who absolutely adored Reddy's music. This post is for you mum, I miss you.  

I have also taken the liberty of including Helen's debut single "One Way Ticket"/"Go" released on Philip Records in 1968 as bonus tracks, and is as rare as hen's teeth (thanks to Ozzie Musicman for this single)

RIP Helen Reddy (1942-2020)

Tracklist

01 I Am Woman 3:34

02 I Don't Know How To Love Him 3:15

03 Leave Me Alone 3:26

04 Delta Dawn 3:08

05 You And Me Against The World 3:08

06 Angie Baby 3:29

07 Emotion 2:52

08 Keep On Singing 3:03

09 Peaceful 2:50

10 Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady 3:26

11 One Way Ticket (Bonus A-Side Single)    2:36

12 Go (Bonus B-Side Single)    2:54

Helen Reddy Link (228Mb)