Friday Night Throwback: Thelma Houston - "Don't Leave Me This Way"

R&B, soul, disco and gospel singer Thelma Houston scored a No. 1 for a week in 1977 with the Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert written (Gamble & Huff-produced) "Don't Leave Me This Way". Originally a huge hit for Philly soul stars Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, with the intention of being passed on to Diana Ross by Motown execs who claimed ownership of the song in 1976, rising star Houston was selected to cover the song instead for her third album Any Way You Like It. "Don't Leave Me This Way" was the lone big hit for the disco diva from Mississippi, topping the pop, R&B, and dance charts in early 1977 and winning Houston the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the Grammy's for 1977.