(June 4, 2016) We are sad to inform SoulTrackers of the death of Bernadette Randle, a woman noted in many fields, but known in the soul music world as world class pianist, who work with artists such as Ray, Goodman & Brown, Candi Staton and Etta James, and co-founded the disco group The Rimshots. She was 69.
During her career, Randle performed with a number of notable artists, including Solomon Burke, Etta James, The Sugar Hill Gang and Chuck Jackson. She was a regular on albums of the Sugar Hill label. She also recorded as a solo artist releasing albums filled with her glorious piano solos and focusing on both secular and religious tunes.
Randle was also a gerontologist who was strong advocate for healthcare for the elderly. Later in life she also became much more active as a church music director, and became a part of the national Consortium of Church Music Directors.
Most music fans only knew of Bernadette Randle’s work supporting big stars, but she affected many, many people with her other work as a musician and humanitarian.
By Chris Rizik
