Barbara Ingram

Barbara Jane Ingram (February 9, 1947 – October 20, 1994) was an American R&B singer, songwriter, and Broadway performer born in Camden, New Jersey, the second of nine children to Reverend N. Henry and Vera Ingram. She worked as a backup singer for nearly two decades, contributing to recordings across the Philadelphia soul, R&B, and disco genres from the early 1970s through the mid-1980s, and appeared on Broadway between 1984 and 1986.

Ingram's professional career took shape in 1972 when she formed a vocal trio with her cousin Carla Benson and Benson's close friend Evette Benton. The group performed under several names over the years, including the Sweethearts of Sigma, the Philadelphia Angels, the Sweeties, and the Sweethearts. Throughout the 1970s, the trio served as the in-house backup group for Philadelphia International Records, working with producer Thom Bell and recording at the closely affiliated Sigma Sound Studios. Their voices appear on a number of charting singles, among them The Spinners' million-selling recordings "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" (1972) and "Games People Play" (1975). The trio was also part of John Davis and the Monster Orchestra.

Ingram's session work predated the formation of the trio. In 1971 she sang background vocals alongside songwriter Linda Creed on The Stylistics' eponymous debut album, and she returned for their 1973 follow-up, Rockin' Roll Baby. In 1973 and 1974 she contributed to the debut album by Hawaiian-based soul singer Dick Jensen and to the eponymous debut album by R&B and soul band Ecstasy, Passion & Pain. Between 1975 and 1985 her backup vocal work extended to a wide range of artists, including Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Sister Sledge, Grace Jones, Eddie Kendricks, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Philippé Wynne, Elkie Brooks, Brenda Mitchell, Cindy Williams, and Plastic Surprise, among others.

In 1976 Ingram sang lead vocals on The Funk Is In Our Music, an album recorded by Ingram Kingdom, a family group comprising her five brothers James, Norman, William, Robert, and John. The group renamed itself Ingram in 1977, and she continued to provide background vocals on their subsequent three albums — That's All!, Would You Like To Fly, and Night Stalkers — released between 1977 and 1984. Ingram is pictured on the cover of the first Ingram Kingdom album.

Her live performance career ran from 1980 through 1986 and resumed from 1988 through 1992. Her Broadway credits fall within that first period: she appeared in productions associated with Patti LaBelle, including Patti LaBelle and Patti LaBelle on Broadway: The 'Look to the Rainbow' Tour, with her Broadway activity documented from 1984 to 1986. On March 16, 2018, Society Hill Records released a posthumous LP titled Barbara Ingram: Philadelphia Sweetheart, available on Spotify and Apple Music.

In her personal life, Ingram was married to songwriter and producer Sherman Marshall, whose credits include "I'm Doin' Fine Now" by New York City, "Then Came You" by The Spinners, and "Lady Love" by Lou Rawls. She had a daughter named Denene, who died in 1976. Both her husband and daughter preceded her in death. Ingram died on October 20, 1994, in Camden, New Jersey, at the age of 47, following illnesses including lupus and cancer. Her funeral was held in Camden.