SISTER SLEDGE - WE ARE FAMILY (1979) OFFICIAL VIDEO

Joni Sledge has died, one of the leaders of Sister Sledge, known for the disco era classic “We Are Family,” a joyful celebration played at family reunions, Pittsburgh baseball games, diocesan synods, on cruise ships, in smalltown Gay bars and senior shuffleboard tournaments whenever a crowdpleasing song is needed. They were four teenage sisters in Philadelphia when they got started; they built up an audience, opened for other touring acts and eventually became headliners themselves with several hits to their credit, none bigger than their joyful ode to sisterhood. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for the Songswriters Hall of Fame)