Gwen Guthrie

Born in Newark, New Jersey July 9, 1950 – died February 3, 1999 was an American singer-songwriter and pianist who also sang backing vocals for [a=Aretha Franklin], [a=Billy Joel], [a=Stevie Wonder], [a=Peter Tosh], and [a=Madonna], among others, and who wrote songs made famous by [a=Ben E. King], [a=Angela Bofill] and [a=Roberta Flack]. Guthrie is well known for her 1986 anthem "Ain't Nothin' Goin' on But the Rent", and for her 1986 cover of the song "(They Long to Be) Close to You".