February 20, 1988 - Pebbles arrives, topping the charts with "Girlfriend"
She’s had careers both secular and sacred, but Perri A. Reid, better known as Pebbles, had for herself quite a career for several years as a singer, songwriter and music executive. And never was her power as a performer more evident than on this day in 1988, when she began a two week run with her first #1, with the smash hit “Girlfriend.”
Pebbles started making waves as a backup singer in the early 80s for ConFunkShun and Bill Summers and Summer’s Heat. Her bright voice, songwriting talent, looks and ambition won for her a contract with MCA Records.
February 20, 1988 - Pebbles arrives, topping the charts with "Girlfriend"
She’s had careers both secular and sacred, but Perri A. Reid, better known as Pebbles, had for herself quite a career for several years as a singer, songwriter and music executive. And never was her power as a performer more evident than on this day in 1988, when she began a two week run with her first #1, with the smash hit “Girlfriend.”
Pebbles started making waves as a backup singer in the early 80s for ConFunkShun and Bill Summers and Summer’s Heat. Her bright voice, songwriting talent, looks and ambition won for her a contract with MCA Records.
She hit the ground running as an artist, with her self-titled debut album going platinum, fueled by the L.A. Reid/Babyface composition, “Girlfriend.” The song was originally intended for Vanessa Williams, but Pebbles convinced Reid (her future husband) that is was perfect for her debut album, and she turned it into an all-timer, not only topping the charts, but also earning Pebbles her first nomination for the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 1989 Grammy Awards.
Pebbles went on to do many more things, including discovering the trio TLC and later forming Women of God Changing Lives Ministries and becoming an ordained minister (Sister Perri), but it was on this date in 1988 that she showed the world that she was a musical force to be reckoned with.
Check out the history-making song "Girlfriend" below.