In a career that has spanned decades, earned her a Grammy, and made her voice synonymous with disco’s golden era, Thelma Houston’s passion for performance remains undiminished.
“I haven’t lost the passion,” Houston said. “It hasn’t beat me down. And I keep getting these surprises—like this recognition for something I did years and years and years ago. People still request me, so as long as they keep requesting, I will continue to work. I love it.”
At 82, Houston’s career shows no signs of slowing down. In April 2025, her 1975 album, “I’ve Got the Music in Me,” was inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry—a rare honor that commemorates her contribution to American musical heritage.
“To me, it means it’s a very important event that happened—something you don’t really expect,” Houston reflects. “We’re always concerned about getting the product out there, having a hit record. Then if you get a Grammy, that’s icing on the cake. But to have something selected for the Library of Congress? That’s amazing.”
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Recorded live, the album was a unique endeavor for its time.
“You had to do the full side of an album at one time,” Houston explained.
“No stopping and going back. The musicians, the singers, everyone was in the room together. It was like a live performance. There was so much energy and spontaneity.”
Houston credits Motown for allowing her the freedom to pursue the project.
“Motown allowed me to do this because they saw the value in it. Even though it wasn’t a commercial smash, it was artistically significant. Now, 50 years later, it’s being preserved for future generations—that’s wonderful.”
Most recently, Houston wowed a new generation of fans as “Clock” on “The Masked Singer,” making it to the final three. But the experience was more challenging than glamorous.
“It made it very difficult,” Houston admitted. “I connect with the audience—that’s important to me. And with the mask, all your peripheral vision is gone.”
Houston continued, “The outfit was heavy, and the songs were chosen for you. I had to learn choreography, which as a solo artist I don’t usually do. But I enjoyed the experience. I learned new skills—how to present myself in different ways without facial expression.”
Houston’s trailblazing presence has also been a constant force within the LGBTQ+ community, a bond forged long before mainstream recognition.
“When I first got signed, my closest supporters were my hairdresser, the guy who made my clothes, my makeup artist. They were my friends,” she says.
“They supported me when my music wasn’t taking off—always saying, ‘Girl, don’t worry about it, they’ll come around.’ Then AIDS came, and I started losing them.”
The disco anthem “Don’t Leave Me This Way” became a spiritual soundtrack for a generation—especially in gay clubs across the country.
“It was being played a lot in the underground, and that’s how it ended up in the film
“Looking for Mr. Goodbar,”’ Houston said. “That pushed the song onto radio. There’s a deep connection there. And to this day, I still support causes like the Minority AIDS Project and human rights organizations.”
Houston also holds a unique footnote in music history: giving a young Lenny Kravitz—then known as Romeo Blue—his first break.
“I liked the song very much,” Houston recalled of the track What a Woman Needs. “I remember asking him, ‘Are you sure you wrote this?’ Because it was so much from a woman’s point of view. He talked about it in his book, actually.”
Despite a life full of milestones, Houston still has dreams—one of which is closer to home.
“I wish they would include me in the soul food [Taste of Soul] event here in the fall. I’ve never been asked, and I’m in the neighborhood!” Houston said.
For Thelma Houston, each stage she steps onto is an extension of the love she’s always had—for music, for community, and for the people who’ve kept her voice alive through generations. And as long as they keep listening, she’ll keep singing.
