- Born
- DiedDecember 20, 2024 · Oakland, California, USA (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure)
- Birth nameUmpeylia Marsema Balinton
- Nickname
- The Lady James Brown
- Height4′ 11″ (1.50 m)
- Sugar Pie DeSanto is an American vocalist and dancer whose career in music flourished in the 1950s and 1960s. She spent most of her early life in San Francisco, California, where she was discovered by Johnny Otis, who gave her the stage name Sugar Pie. She toured first with the Johnny Otis Revue, and later with the James Brown Revue. In 1960, DeSanto rose to national prominence when her single "I Want to Know", reached number four on Billboard's Hot R&B chart. With her childhood friend Etta James she recorded the hits "In the Basement - Part 1" and "Do I Make Myself Clear" in the 60's. Sugar Pie DeSanto was a 2024 inductee to the Blues Hall of Fame.
- IMDb mini biography by: DAHR
- SpousesJesse Earl Davis(1979 - October 2006) (his death)Pee Wee Kingsley (divorced)
- Was childhood friends with Etta James, who became a lifelong friend and collaborator.
- She was the oldest girl of 10 siblings.
- In the '60s she became a staff songwriter at Chess - unusual for a woman at the time - and with her creative partner Shena DeMell, she penned lyrics for musical greats like Minnie Riperton, Fontella Bass and The Whispers.
- Discovered by Johnny Otis who gave her the stage name Sugar Pie.
- DeSanto's career, which spanned more than six decades, also saw her receive numerous accolades. In 1997, she was named best female blues performer by Real Blues magazine, and in 1998 she was honored as a legendary artist by the Blues/Soul Summit Conference.
- I took over the studio, and a couple of times I put the drums over their head, you know, hittin' 'em across their head 'cause they pissed me off. I've always been very technical about my music
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