Interview: PrideFest’s main headliner Martha Wash on her long career, being a gay icon

Martha Wash’s powerful vocals left her no stranger to the charts, her hit songs “It’s Raining Men” and “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” are unforgettable, while her loving spirit and passion for HIV/AIDS awareness have left her no stranger to the LGBTQ community. In her 35 years in the music industry, she has proven herself deserving of both the labels of “icon” and “gay icon.”

Wash kindly took some time to talk to Out Front Colorado about her first full–length album in 20 years, Something Good, why she loves playing Pride events, RuPaul’s Drag Race, and what she loves about the Denver gays!

Kristin Ziegler: You’ve recently released your first album in nearly 20 years, Something Good, with a little bit of R&B, funk, gospel, and rock, and even a cover of “Dream On.” Could you share with us a little bit about this new album?

Martha Wash: This album is naturally a departure from what I’m known for singing. I felt it was time to do something different and stretch out a bit. I wanted to find songs that would uplift and inspire and be reflective to people, to feel touched by this music, whatever that feeling was. Pick a track and let it resonate with you.

KZ: A lot of tracks will certainly resonate with your LGBT fans. Are you comfortable with the being called a “gay icon”?

MW: With the LGBT fans being my core audience, whatever they call me is fine, just CALL ME! (Laughs) Really I’m flattered by it, but I don’t trip on it.

KZ: Now, this won’t be your first time headlining Denver’s PrideFest. What do you love about Colorado and its gay community?

MW: I think Colorado is a beautiful scenic state with gorgeous mountains, and with the gay community, they’ve always brought great energy to me and made me feel so special.

KZ: What does playing LGBT pride events mean to you?

MW: Doing the Prides is fun, because I’m there to help celebrate their struggle, pain, strength, passion, and ultimately love on them. I also get a chance to meet a lot of the fans that have followed me for years, and sometimes get to catch up for a minute.

KZ: You were honored by the AIDS Emergency Fund last year with a lifetime achievement award. You lost a dear friend and fellow entertainer, the Disco legend Sylvester, to AIDS. Could you tell us a little bit about your work and activism regarding HIV/AIDS?

MW: I first got started working with small grassroots organizations in different cities. Remember, no one at that time knew what HIV/AIDS really was and how it was contracted. Izora [Rhodes] and I would perform at their fundraisers. Over the years I’ve continued to do that, as well as go to some of the hospices and talk to the patients. I’m always happy to do that because I believe it makes them feel good, and for me as well. There have been so many people I’ve lost over the decades, but thankfully there are now so many people living longer and living wonderful lives.

KZ: You have another very close friend in RuPaul, and guest judged on RuPaul’s Drag Race a couple of years ago.

MW: I’ve been a fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race since the beginning, I love him and Michelle Visage! I’ve actually done some Prides with some of the queens.

KZ: Who were you rooting for last season?

MW: I thought Roxxxy Andrews would win.  I’m rooting for the big girls! (Laughs) I just thought she was so beautiful, and I love all of their backstories. There was one girl, and I can’t remember her name, who looked so similar to Shangela, they could have been twins.

KZ: Any chance you might treat the audience to another guest appearance?

MW: I would definitely come back and be a judge!

KZ: You’ve been working in the entertainment industry for more than 30 years, and you are as beautiful (if not more so) now as at the very beginning. What is your secret to being and staying so fabulous?

MW: My secret to being beautiful and fabulous is genes. I try to keep myself together as best as I can, but you know it does take a village! (Laughs) I won’t lie, as I’ve gotten older, I try to take better care of myself so I can be here for a long time.

KZ: Finally, do you have anything special to say to your LGBT fans in Denver?

MW: I’d like to thank all my LGBT family in Denver for supporting me over the years, and I so look forward to celebrating  Life, Love, and being who You are, with you! Also I’d like to invite everyone to check out the new CD, “Something Good,” on Amazon and iTunes. Let me know what you think about it by going to my website marthawash.com or my Facebook page, or hit me up on twitter @Martha_Wash. Help your sister out! Love you all!

Martha Wash will perform at 3 p.m., Sunday June 16 on the PrideFest Center Stage in Civic Center Park.