Amii Stewart

Amii Stewart achieved international prominence with her disco cover of Eddie Floyd’s ‘Knock on Wood,’ which soared to a U.S. Billboard number 1 hit in April 1979. This breakthrough success earned her a platinum record and a Grammy Award nomination, while the track also reached number 6 in the UK and number 2 in Australia. Stewart’s professional journey began with significant roles in touring musical productions, including the 1975 run of ‘Bubbling Brown Sugar,’ which traveled from Miami to Broadway and subsequently London’s West End.

It was in London that she commenced her pivotal collaboration with producer Barry Leng, leading to her first recording, ‘You Really Touched My Heart,’ at the end of 1977. Her self-titled debut album, released in February 1979, further showcased her talent. The same year, her medley cover of The Doors’ ‘Light My Fire/137 Disco Heaven’ also demonstrated commercial success, charting at number 5 in the UK and number 14 in Australia. Despite a shifting music landscape in the U.S., Stewart’s 1979 album Paradise Bird garnered continued success and media attention across Europe, leading to her relocation to Italy in the mid-1980s.

In this capacity, she actively participated in campaigns such as ‘Uniti per i bambini, Uniti contro l’AIDS’ and recorded the charity single ‘Love Song’ in 2006, collaborating with legendary composer Ennio Morricone. Her versatility was further highlighted in 2014 when she won the Rai TV show ‘La Pista’ as a team leader. Through her extensive career spanning chart-topping music, acclaimed theatrical roles, and dedicated humanitarian efforts, Amii Stewart has solidified her status as an enduring international music and cultural figure. Her body of work, characterized by groundbreaking musical achievements and impactful advocacy, continues to resonate globally, cementing her legacy across diverse creative and philanthropic platforms.