Jessica Cleaves

Jessica Marguerite Cleaves (December 10, 1948 – May 2, 2014) was an American singer and songwriter. Cleaves was lead singer for The Friends of Distinction in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Early life

Jessica Cleaves was born to Mary Gladys Cleaves (née Wilkerson), a librarian, and Lane C. Cleaves II, a US Postal employee. Cleaves' paternal grandfather, Lane C. Cleaves Sr., was Presiding Bishop over Phillips Temple, CME.

Career

The Friends of Distinction was founded by Harry Elston and Floyd Butler, and beside Cleaves, it included Barbara Jean Love (plus Charlene Gibson, who replaced Love during her pregnancy).

During the 1970s, Cleaves performed and recorded with Earth, Wind & Fire. She later moved to Detroit where she joined forces with George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic for several recordings, including Computer Games, R&B Skeletons in the Closet and Dope Dogs.

Cleaves died in Los Angeles, California, aged 65, following complications from a stroke. Her godson, director Armand Araujo, began filming Jessica Cleaves, My Friends of Distinction at the time of her passing.

Charts

Grazing in the Grass

US Billboard Hot 100

• Peak Position 3

US Billboard Hot Soul Singles

• Peak Position 5