Fontella Bass

Fontella Bass (1940-2012) was an American soul and R&B singer who achieved major success during the 1960s. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, she came from a musical family and showed early promise as a performer. Her signature hit 'Rescue Me,' released in 1965 and co-written with Raitt, became a massive commercial and critical success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a staple of soul and pop radio. The song showcased her powerful, emotive vocal style and remains one of the most recognizable soul records of the era. Beyond this breakthrough hit, Bass recorded several other notable songs and performed extensively throughout the United States and internationally. She worked with various soul and R&B labels and collaborated with prominent musicians of her time. Though her recording career in the mainstream declined after the late 1960s, Bass remained an important figure in soul music history and continued performing until her death in 2012, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering female soul artist.