Helen Reddy

Helen Maxine Reddy (October 25, 1941 – September 29, 2020) was a multifaceted Australian-American artist renowned for her work as a singer, songwriter, actress, author, and activist. Hailing from a show-business family in Melbourne, Victoria, Reddy began her entertainment journey at the tender age of four. In 1966, she gained recognition by winning a talent contest on the television program Bandstand, which awarded her a trip to New York City for a record audition, though it did not yield immediate success. Undeterred, she relocated to Chicago and later Los Angeles, where she released her debut singles, "One Way Ticket" (1968) and "I Believe in Music" (1970). The latter's B-side, "I Don't Know How to Love Him," made a notable impact, reaching number eight on the Canadian RPM charts.

Reddy’s career flourished in the 1970s, particularly in the United States, where she achieved 15 top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including three number-one singles like her iconic anthem "I Am Woman." Her success extended to the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, where she placed 25 songs, eight of which reached number one. In 1974, she was recognized as Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist at the inaugural American Music Awards.

In addition to her music career, Reddy made history as the first Australian to host a weekly primetime variety show in the U.S. After a brief hiatus from live performances, she returned to the stage in 2011 and was celebrated for her cultural impact, particularly as a feminist icon. Billboard recognized her as the 28th top adult contemporary artist of all time, and the Chicago Tribune later hailed her as the "Queen of '70s Pop."