Alfa Anderson.
Alfa Anderson, one of the lead vocalists of the American disco group Chic, and actors Mark Withers and Wayne Northrop, from the original cast of the iconic television soap Dynasty, died in recent weeks.
Anderson, who sang lead on Chic’s disco hits such as I Want Your Love, At Last I am Free, and Good Times, passed away on December 17 at the age of 77. The cause of her death has not been revealed.
Chic was very popular, having topped local charts in 1979 with Good Times. Le Freak, Everybody Dance, Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah) were also club bangers that did well on the Billboard pop, R&B, and disco charts.
Anderson was an educator with a master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, when she made her professional stage début. She performed in a tribute to jazz great Cannonball Adderley, which led to other gigs and quickly blossomed into regular work as a background vocalist for artistes like Dionne Warwick.
In 1977, singer Luther Vandross introduced Anderson to Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, the musicians-producers forming a new group called Chic. She began as a background singer for the band, as did Vandross. When singer Norma Jean Wright left Chic the following year, Anderson became its co-lead singer.
When Chic broke up in 1983, Anderson continued to perform. She toured with Vandross as he became a major star in the mid-1980s, plus appeared on albums by the likes of singers including Bryan Adams, Gregory Hines (1946–2003), Mick Jagger, Billy Squier, Sheena Easton, and Jody Watley.
Anderson also returned to her first career — education. She earned a second master’s degree and, in the 1990s, served as principal at Brooklyn’s El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice High School.
Mark Withers, a television actor known for portraying Ted Dinard in the original Dynasty series, died November 22. He was 77. The cause was pancreatic cancer.
In addition to his role in Dynasty, Withers had guest appearances on Wonder Woman, Magnum PI, The Dukes of Hazzard, Hart to Hart, Remington Steele, Dallas, L A Law, Days Of Our Lives, Matlock, Kaz, The King of Queens, and Frasier.
Wayne Northrop, who played the role of Blake Carrington’s chauffeur Michael Culhane in season 1 of
Dynasty, died on November 29 at the age of 77 from Alzheimer’s.
Northrop is most known for his role as Roman Brady on the hit soap opera Days Of Our Lives, which he played for several years, from 1981 to 1984 and then again from 1991 to 1994. In the role, Northrop commanded particular attention for his relationship with Dr Marlena Evans, played by Deidra Hall.
Northrop returned to Dynasty in its seventh season and was out by the eighth season.
Northrop launched his career in 1975 when he joined the Los Angeles Actors’ Theatre, which led to roles in shows including Testimony of Two Men, The Waltons, and more.
From 1997 to 2003, Northrop played Rex Stanton on Port Charles, a medical soap opera.
Dynasty was very popular locally when it aired on JBC-TV in the 1980s.
Mark Withers.
Wayne Northrop.
Alfa Anderson in earlier days.
Mark Withers in the 1980s.