Helen Reddy Roars Out Of Retirement To Help Local High School's Art Program

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — She may have been a major voice in the 1970s, but singer Helen Reddy is still being heard in a big way and hitting all the right notes.

The legend behind such hits as "I Am Woman," "Delta Dawn," and "You and Me Against the World," came out of retirement to help a local high school's arts program.

She gave a special concert to help St. Genevieve's High School raise money Friday night. Another performance is planned for Saturday. Tickets are $40.

CBS2 and KCAL9 reporter Bobby Kaple attended the benefit in Panorama City and talked to Reddy about her efforts.

So how did a local high school pull off getting a Grammy winner and legend to perform for free?

Principal Dan Horn was a Reddy go-fer way back in the day. "First I was a fan," he told Kaple, "then I bought a record. When I moved to LA, one of the first places I stopped was Helen Reddy Incorporated. And I was looking for a job."

Turnabout is fair play. "I called from Sydney," says Reddy, "and said I would love to do some dates ... here. And so here I am."

Reddy is accompanied by the Valiant Voices and the SGHS Jazz Band.

And one lucky student, Rosalind Smith, gets to duet with Reddy both nights. "Oh my God, what a big opportunity," she said. "I'm...scared!"

The school's arts programs expects to net about $20,000 for these two shows.

For more information about buying tickets, call 818-894-6417 Ext 0, or see store.valiantspirit.com.