Essra Mohawk, a notable singer and songwriter who released more than a dozen albums and wrote a hit for Cyndi Lauper, passed away earlier this month after a battle with cancer at the age of 75, writes Gary Miles for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Mohawk was a Philadelphia native, who learned to sing, write songs, and play the piano as a child growing up in West and Northeast Philadelphia.

Her parents wrote and sang songs when she was young and her relatives recall her singing along during family celebrations. 

Mohawk’s passion for music continued throughout her life and she received good recognition for it.

In 1977, her 1970 album Primordial Lovers was named as one of the 25 best albums ever by a Rolling Stone magazine writer.

Her song “Change of Heart,” performed by Cyndi Lauper, ranked No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in February 1987.

From the 1960s until just recently, Mohawk played in hundreds of pubs, clubs, and larger venues in Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, and other cities across the country. She wrote over 600 songs in her career.

In between singing engagements and creating albums, Mohawk would often write and record advertising jingles, provide backup vocals for singers, and cut demonstrations tracks for other songwriters. 

Read more about Essra Mohawk’s legacy in the musical industry at The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

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