Martha Wash has been belting it out for decades, being everything from a back-up singer for Sylvester to a solo act. This Weather Girl predicted a rain of men that has last for 30 years.
After the group broke up, Wash moved on to sing with pop dance acts Black Box and C+C Music Factory, creating hits that are still in rotation today from "Everybody Everybody" to "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)." She also made waves with her self-titled '90s CD, with hits such as "Give It To You."
She has been a constant gay community supporter in her lengthy career and headlines our Pride Fest to kick off our big gay weekend!
Windy City Times: Hello, Martha. I read that you [sang with the late disco singer] Sylvester.
Martha Wash: You didn't know that? I am surprised.
WCT: I learned a new thing today.
Martha Wash: That is where I got started.
WCT: When did you begin singing?
Martha Wash: I started singing when I was a little girl at about 4 years old.
WCT: Did you study singing in school?
Martha Wash: In high school I made choir class and glee club. I started taking some private lessons for classical music. That was fun for a while but unfortunately my music teacher passed away so I never continued on with it. I liked it when I did it. There has always been music around me with choir classes and things like that.
WCT: Do you ever get sick of singing "It's Raining Men?"
Martha Wash: Not really, because I know it is a fan favorite so you have got to do it. It is always fun for them.
WCT: It has to be a good one for street festivals. You even sang it with RuPaul, correct?
Martha Wash: Yes, we did a version of it with RuPaul.
WCT; Being born in San Francisco you must have been around gay people your whole life.
Martha Wash: My adult life yes, definitely. Even in high school [and] probably junior high as wellI just didn't know what was going on.
WCT: Have your fans changed over the years?
Martha Wash: I don't think so, but now I have new ones. There are people that go all the way back to Sylvester. Over the years I have gotten more and more fans. I am very appreciative of the gay community and the support that they have given me but the fans have broadened out. I have been around long enough where grandparents, parents and grandkids like my music. So that has been a good thing.
WCT: I wanted to ask you how you take care of your voice these days?
Martha Wash: Nothing, really; sometimes I try not to sing but instead hum to things on the radio when I am in my truck or listening to my iPod.
WCT: Lucky yousome singers follow a whole regimen. Pride Fest happens at the end of Halsted Street and kicks off the weekend. It will be hot. I just want to warn you. Talking about making you sweat!
Martha Wash: [Laughs] That's fine.
WCT: Since it's Pride weekend, what is the one thing you are the proudest of in your career?
Martha Wash: To be able to stand the test of time. "It's Raining Men" is a classic now, and it is 30 years old this year.
WCT: For your set list, are you singing songs from Black Box or C+C Music Factory?
Martha Wash: More than likely, yes. I am trying to finish up this CD that I am working on so I might possibly do one of the new songs. The single has been out for a while and it is called "I've Got You." The video for it is just beautiful. I am trying to finish up the CD, hopefully in the next two months. I am trying to pull the little things together to get it out there and ready.
WCT: People can go to your website to find out when it's done.
Martha Wash: Right, at www.marthawash.com . I will let people know of Twitter too.
WCT: Oh, you are a Twitter person?
Martha Wash: I am. I still don't know a lot about it but I can tweet. It's @Marth_Wash. I fought it kicking and screaming but now I look at other people's tweets and just go from there!
Catch Martha Saturday, June 23, at 4:30 p.m. at Chicago Pride Fest, located at the North Stage on Halsted and Grace streets. For a complete schedule, visit www.northalsted.com .