The R&B singer and songwriter Joyce Sims, who rose to fame in the late 1980s with her hit song “Come Into My Life”, has reportedly passed away at the age of 63. Her death was confirmed by her family members on social media, but they did not reveal the cause of her death. This has left many fans and music lovers wondering what happened to the talented artist who influenced the genres of electro, dance and R&B.
Joyce Sims’ Career and Legacy
Joyce Sims was born in Rochester, New York, in 1959. She started singing in church choirs and later pursued a career in music. She signed with the independent label Sleeping Bag Records in 1986 and released her debut single “All and All”, which became a hit on the US dance chart and the UK singles chart. The song was produced by Kurtis Mantronik, who also worked with her on her follow-up singles “Lifetime Love” and “Walk Away”.
In 1987, she released her first album, Come Into My Life, which featured her most successful song of the same name. The song reached the top 10 in both the US and the UK, and was praised for its catchy melody, soulful vocals and synth-pop production. The song has been sampled or covered by artists such as Snoop Dogg, Angie Stone and Randy Crawford.
Sims continued to release music throughout the 1990s and 2000s, but never achieved the same level of popularity as her debut album. She also ventured into acting, appearing in films such as Penitentiary III and The Preacher’s Wife. She remained active in the music scene, performing live shows and releasing new albums, such as A New Beginning in 2006 and Love Song in 2014. She had been touring in England this summer and had been due to release an album this year.
Sims is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of electro, dance and R&B music, blending elements of soul, funk, hip hop and pop. She has been credited for inspiring many artists who followed her footsteps, such as Mary J. Blige, Aaliyah and Beyoncé. She has also been recognized for her contributions to the music industry by various awards and honors, such as the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Award, the Urban Music Award and the Black Music Honors.
Joyce Sims’ Death and Tributes
The news of Joyce Sims’ death first emerged on October 14, 2022, when some of her family members posted messages of grief and love on Facebook. Her sister Annette Ramsey wrote: “I will always remember the happy times we’ve shared, the love and support you have given me will not go in vain. I love you big sis. RIP.” Her sister Debbie Sims Hall described her as “a beautiful soul inside and out” who “will truly be missed”.
The family later confirmed the news on October 16, 2022, but did not disclose the cause of her death. According to some reports, Sims had been struggling with health issues lately but never made them public. There is no official statement from the family or the authorities regarding the circumstances of her death. It is possible that the family is keeping their privacy or waiting for the results of an autopsy to get more answers.
Many fans and celebrities have expressed their sadness and condolences over Sims’ death on social media. The BBC radio broadcaster Edward Adoo said: “Very sad news to wake up to … Joyce was a big part of the soul scene. May she rest in peace.” The singer Loretta posted a video of Sims’ song “Come Into My Life” with the caption: “RIP Joyce Sims”. The music journalist Pete Paphides praised Sims’ collaboration with Kurtis Mantronik as “one of the great collabs of its era”. The former England and Liverpool footballer Stan Collymore recalled listening to Sims’ song “All and All” on his Sony Walkman every morning.
Joyce Sims’ death is a huge loss for the music world, especially for those who grew up listening to her songs or were inspired by her style. Her legacy will live on through her music, which will continue to touch many hearts and souls across generations. She will be remembered as a talented singer-songwriter who came into our lives with her beautiful voice and catchy tunes.
