The legendary singing group Sister Sledgeis scheduled to perform in connection with the World Meeting of Families in honor of the upcoming Papal visit to their hometown Philadelphia on September 26, 2015 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, but only in part. Recent rumors have been substantiated that although the performance is being promoted as though all four original members of the group will be in concert, sisters Joni, Debbie and Kim have refused to allow youngest sibling Kathy, original member and iconic voice of Sister Sledge, from participating in the performance. The familial dispute that has long been developing between the sisters, well-known for their legacy of family unity that stems from their triumphantly voiced and most famous hit record “We Are Family,” has ironically culminated into an opportunity for the sisters to put their differences aside before Pope Francis and the World Meeting of Families to perform for their fans.
While the sisters have all explored their own solo projects and careers, over the years the group has traditionally joined forces to perform their iconic hit songs for historic events such as the Papal visit. Beginning in 1974, Sister Sledge captured the hearts of the world during their “Rumble in the Jungle” performance in Zaire and they have came together during President Clinton’s tenure to perform at the White House, as well as President Obama’s first Inaugural ball and on television with Oprah Winfrey. Although the details surrounding the current dispute are unclear, media outlets have obtained a heartfelt letter from Kathy to her sisters Joni, Kim and Debbie requesting that the group put any differences aside and unite as family to perform as one before Pope Francis and the fans in their hometown city of brotherly love.
World Meeting of Family directors in charge of the performance have not been available for comment and sisters Joni, Kim and Debbie have not responded to any requests from Kathy. Fans of the singing group have taken to social media expressing their hope for a reunion.