Janet Vogel Rapp was a talented and beautiful singer who rose to fame as the female vocalist of the 1950s doo-wop group The Skyliners. She had a distinctive voice that could hit high notes with ease and grace, and she was featured on some of the group’s most popular songs, such as “Since I Don’t Have You”, “This I Swear”, and “Pennies from Heaven”. However, behind her success and fame, she was struggling with personal issues that eventually led her to take her own life in 1980. What was the cause of death of Janet Vogel Rapp, and what were the factors that contributed to her tragic fate?
Early Life and Career
Janet Vogel was born on June 10, 1941, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She attended Carrick High School, where she met Jimmy Beaumont, the lead singer of The Skyliners. They formed the group in 1958, along with Wally Lester, Joe Verscharen, and Jack Taylor. The group was signed by Calico Records, a label owned by Lennie Martin and Joe Rock, who also co-wrote some of their songs.
The Skyliners’ first single, “Since I Don’t Have You”, was released in late 1958 and became a huge hit, reaching number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 3 on the R&B chart. The song showcased Janet’s high notes at the end, which became her trademark. The group followed up with more hits, such as “This I Swear”, “It Happened Today”, and “I’ll Be Seeing You”. They also appeared on TV shows like American Bandstand and The Ed Sullivan Show.
The Skyliners were one of the most successful doo-wop groups of the late 1950s and early 1960s, but they also faced some challenges. They had to deal with racial discrimination, as they were one of the few integrated groups at the time. They also had to cope with changing musical trends, as rock and roll and the British Invasion took over the charts. The group disbanded in 1963, but reunited several times in the following years.
Personal Problems and Suicide
Janet Vogel married a police officer named Terrence Rapp in 1961. They had three children: Gavin, Marlo, and Kip. However, Janet was unhappy in her marriage and suffered from domestic abuse. She also developed a drug addiction, which affected her mental health. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a condition that causes mood swings, depression, and mania.
Janet tried to cope with her problems by continuing to perform with The Skyliners and pursuing a solo career. She recorded some songs under different names, such as Janet Deane and Janie Grant. She also appeared in some movies, such as The Night They Raided Minsky’s (1968) and Lenny (1974). However, none of these endeavors brought her the satisfaction or recognition she desired.
On February 21, 1980, Janet Vogel Rapp committed suicide by inhaling carbon monoxide from her car in her garage under her home in Pittsburgh. She was 38 years old. She did not leave a note or explain why she decided to end her life. Her family and friends were shocked and saddened by her death. Her former bandmates paid tribute to her by performing at her funeral.
Legacy and Influence
Janet Vogel Rapp’s cause of death was a tragic loss for the music industry and her fans. She was one of the most talented and influential female vocalists of the doo-wop era. Her voice and style inspired many singers who came after her, such as Barbra Streisand, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, and Christina Aguilera.
Janet’s songs with The Skyliners have been covered by many artists over the years, such as Art Garfunkel, Patti LaBelle, Guns N’ Roses, Ronnie Milsap, and Brian Setzer. Her songs have also been featured in many movies and TV shows, such as American Graffiti (1973), Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), Goodfellas (1990), The Wonder Years (1988-1993), The Sopranos (1999-2007), and Glee (2009-2015).
Janet Vogel Rapp’s cause of death was a tragic reminder of the dark side of fame and success. She had a brilliant career that brought joy to millions of people, but she also had a troubled life that led her to despair. She deserves to be remembered not only for her musical achievements but also for her personal struggles and challenges.
According to Wikipedia, a film based on her life and death, titled Since I Don’t Have You, was released in 2013. The film was directed by Gavin Rapp, her son, and starred Brooke McCarter as Janet. The film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences.
