– Singer Alfa Anderson was well-known as one of the original lead vocalists of the 1970s group, Chic, and as a member of the touring band for Luther Vandross; however, what most may not know is that Anderson was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia.

Anderson was born on September 7th,1946 in Augusta, and she was the first of four children.

“She was the oldest child, so she was like the second mother, and like all big sisters, she was protective of us,” says Cynthia Anderson, Alfa’s sister.

Even as a child, Anderson had a love for music, not just as a singer but also as a musician; however, Anderson did not just sing.

“Alfa played alto saxophone,” says Tim Sanders, Anderson’s childhood friend who was in the band with her. “She had this note at the end of the Star-Spangled Banner. That note on that alto sax just stood out.”

Anderson graduated from Lucy Craft Laney Comprehensive High School, and then, she went on to attend Paine College, where she was a member of the choir.

“Of course, she had a fabulous voice,” says Dr. Mallory K. Millender, who is the Paine College historian and a friend of Anderson. “What people don’t know about her was what a great mind she had. She was as good academically as she was musically.”

“She was a teacher before she became famous, so education was very important to her,” says Cynthia Anderson.

“She was not just a singer. She also was an educator, and that’s what I really admired about her,” says Lynwood Holmes, a friend of Anderson.

Anderson received her Bachelor’s Degree from Paine College and her Master’s Degree from the Teachers College at Columbia University.

Afterwards, Anderson began teaching at Hunter College in New York, and even though she spent a lot of time living in New York, Augusta was always home.

“She loved Augusta, and she always carried Augusta in her heart wherever she went,” says Cynthia Anderson.

Anderson is best-known as one of the lead vocalist in the 1970s group, Chic, with hits like “Le Freak,” “Good Times, and “I Want Your Love.”

Later, Anderson went on to sing and tour with Luther Vandross.

“When I recognized her on stage, she had the blond hair. I said, ‘Wow, she was on the stage with Luther Vandross,'” says Holmes.

“The music was like different from what was currently playing on the charts, and so, I enjoyed it so much,” says Cynthia Anderson.

Anderson died on December 16th, 2024, at the age of 78, and even though she is not physically present, her presence is still heavily felt by those who loved her.

“I’m going to miss her friendship. She was a very caring person. She was a loving person. And you felt it all the time,” says Millender.

“She was always pleasant to talk to,” Holmes adds.

“Every day I think about her: what she might say, the conversation we might have about one situation or another. So I’m just going to miss her,” says Cynthia Anderson.

“She set a standard in that period with Chic traveling and performing on that level. So it puts Augusta in the spotlight,” Sanders states.

Alfa Anderson was awarded the keys to the city of Augusta and an official proclamation declaring May 5^th, 2018 “Alfa Anderson Day.”