Judy Cheeks

Judy Cheeks (February 13, 1954 – November 26, 2025) was an American singer. In the 1970s and 1980s, she recorded as a soul and R&B singer, before releasing more dance-oriented music in the 1990s. Cheeks performed with Ike & Tina Turner as an Ikette. She also worked as a backing vocalist for artists such as Stevie Wonder, Donna Summer, Amanda Lear, and David Knopfler.

Life and career Early life Cheeks was born in Miami, Florida on February 13, 1954. She was the daughter of gospel singer, Rev. Julius Cheeks.

Music career Her debut album entitled Judy Cheeks was produced by Ike & Tina Turner and recorded at their Bolic Sound studio in 1973. Her single "Reach" appeared on the Summer Hitmix 94 CD released by ZYX Records in Germany. A solo album, also titled Respect, was released in 1995. In February 2019, Cheeks released a further album of original material, A Deeper Love. In 2020, Cheeks released a new album of original material. "Love Dancin'" the title track was co-written with Stevie Wonder, the album also includes a composition by Cheek's longtime friend Betty Wright "Safe In Your Arms." Also in 2020, she released the single "Within" followed by "Same Pain" in 2021 in a more acoustic country style. In 2023, Judy Cheeks started collaborating with POSE and released "Let Your Soul Dance" and "Hands Up In The Air". In 2024, the team released "Be Happy".

Rory Nicoll RMN and Jus Jez produced these singles; they co-wrote with Judy.

Other work Cheeks acted in various movies and TV shows: She starred in her first movie Caribbean Rhapsody (Caribia, 1978) with Rossano Brazzi, filmed in Haiti. 1980 La playa del amor, 1984 SOKO 5113 (TV series, episode: Tapetenwechsel), and starred in one episode of the TV series Salzburger Nockerln in 1992.

Cheeks was the author of Love and Honor about her late father, Reverend Julius Cheeks.

Death Cheeks died on November 26, 2025, at the age of 71.

Discography Albums 1973: Judy Cheeks (United Artists) 1978: Please Give Me This Night (Ariola) 1978: Mellow Lovin (Ariola, Salsoul) 1979: Disco Cheeks (Koala) 1983: Hard on the Heels of Love (Durium) 1988: No Outsiders (Polydor) 1995: Respect (EMI, Positiva) – No. 99 on the UK Albums Chart 2013: True Love is Free (Mozan Music) 2018: Danger Zone (Mozan Music) 2019: A Deeper Love (Mozan Music) 2020: Love Dancin''' (Mozan Music)

Singles + Year Single Label US Hot100 USDance AUS BEL UK Album 1973 "Crazy 'Bout You Baby" United Artists

1974 "Endlessly" United Artists 1978 "Mellow Lovin'" Salsoul 65 53 10 28

1978 "The Little Girl in Me" Ariola 1979 "Don't Wanna Love You Again" Ariola 1980 "Mercy" Ariola 1983 "Fascination" Dureco Hard on the Heels of Love|- 1987 "You'll Never Be Alone" Polydor 1988 "I Still Love You" Polydor 85 98 No Outsiders|- 1993 "So in Love (The Real Deal)" Positiva 25 27 Respect|- 1994 "Reach" Positiva 24 17

1995 "This Time" / "Respect" Positiva 23 1995 "Respect" Brilliant! 1 1995 "You're the Story of My Life"/"As Long as You're Good to Me" Positiva 30 1995 "As Long as You're Good to Me" Brilliant! 1 1996 "Reach" (Remix) Positiva 22 2013 "Happy" Mozan Music

2013 "I Love Praising You" Mozan Music 2013 "Without Love We're Lost" Remixes Mozan Music Backing vocal credits

1977: Thelma Houston & Jerry Butler – Thelma & Jerry 1977: Donna Summer – Once Upon A Time 1979: Amanda Lear – Never Trust A Pretty Face 1979: Patrick Gammon - Don't Touch Me 1984: Peter Hofmann – Peter Hofmann 2 (Ivory Man / Songs & Ballads) 1984: Al Corley – Square Rooms 1984: Boney M. – Ten Thousand Lightyears 1984: Stevie Wonder – "Love Light in Flight" 1985: David Knopfler – Behind The Lines 1986: Limahl – Colour All My Days 1986: Kissing The Pink – Certain Things Are Likely 1986: Alphaville – Afternoons In Utopia 1989: James Reyne – Hard Reyne 1991: Jackie Quinn – Don't Force The River 1992: Sergio Dalma – Adivina 1993: The Creeps – Seriouslessness''