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By Anslem Samuel | Published July 26, 2011 | Full size is 620 × 480 pixels

MINNIE RIPERTON, 31: Riperton was a true musical talent. Most notable was her unique vocal range of five-and-a-half octaves, which she put on full display with her 1975 single “Lovin’ You.” The classically trained singer went on to release several notable singles. However, in August of 1976 she announced that she had breast cancer and required a mastectomy. Despite being given only six months to live, Riperton continued to record and tour—becoming an American Cancer Society spokeswoman along the way—until she succumb to the disease on July 12, 1979 at the age of 31.

MINNIE RIPERTON, 31: Riperton was a true musical talent. Most notable was her unique…

(Image: Getty)