Timeless Hits: Minnie Riperton's "Adoring You"
In the early 70s, a powerful collaboration unfolded between two artists, Richard Rudolph and Minnie Riperton, that would ultimately result in one of the most beloved songs of all time - "Lovin' You."
Before moving to Florida, the duo had already written several songs together. Their musical journey took a significant turn when they met in Chicago, with Rudolph managing a rock ballroom and Riperton performing with the Rotary Connection. It was during this time that the seeds of "Lovin’ You" were sown.
Richard Rudolph, in a quiet moment at home, noodled around with the guitar and lyrics, creating the core of the song. Minnie Riperton, with her distinctive soprano voice, brought the song to life. The lyrics and bridge were later developed by Richard Rudolph after Minnie hummed along while cooking, following the birth of their daughter Maya in 1971.
The production of "Lovin' You" was handled by none other than Stevie Wonder, who added a polished, timeless quality to the track. This collaboration was born out of Wonder's admiration for Minnie Riperton, and the condition that Richard Rudolph co-produce the record.
The mixing of "Lovin' You" required careful consideration, particularly of Stevie Wonder's Rhodes parts due to their pulsing overtones. Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil were entrusted with this task, working together at Tom Hidley's Westlake Audio.
Tragically, dreams tumbled when Minnie Riperton was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1976, and she passed away in 1979 at just 31 years old. Despite this heartbreaking loss, "Lovin' You" skyrocketed to the top of the pop charts and became a Number One hit across the globe.
Thirty-plus years later, Margouleff reflects on the Minnie Riperton classic, "It's a beautiful record. Steve and Dickie [Rudolph] did such a nice job on it. It's very sensitive, beautifully performed and it deserves to last. And it has. I hear it everywhere."
Today, Richard Rudolph continues to make waves in the music industry. He went on to become a successful producer in L.A., where he still resides, and is currently the chief creative executive of Music Sales West/Rudolph Productions. Recently, he finalized a deal with a Romanian production company to use the song "Lovin' You."
The story of "Lovin' You" is a testament to the power of love, creativity, and the enduring impact of great music.
The recording of "Lovin' You" took place at Tom Hidley's Westlake Audio, with sound engineers Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil carefully mixing Stevie Wonder's Rhodes parts due to their pulsing overtones. In the studio, Richard Rudolph, with Minnie Riperton's distinctive voice, breathed life into the song that was initially noodled around with the guitar and lyrics at home. The entertainment industry continues to revere "Lovin' You," with its melody ringing out through headphones around the world, even as Richard Rudolph, the song's co-writer, pursues a successful career as a producer in Los Angeles.
