Wednesday, July 3, 2013

July 3, 1940: Fontella Bass Hits the Planet…




 
Fontella Bass (July 3, 1940 – December 26, 2012)

Her first hit, “Don’t Mess Up A Good Thing,” a duet with Bobby McClure, was released by Chess in early 1965...

It was followed that summer by “You’ll Miss Me (When I’m Gone),” which enjoyed modest success…



 

 Then she struck gold!

 Fontella Bass’ major success was with a tune called “Rescue Me” 

An original composition with an aggressive rhythm section; backing musicians on the track included drummer Maurice White (later the leader of Earth, Wind, & Fire), bassist Louis Satterfield 
"Daddy G"
and tenor saxophonist “Daddy G” (Gene Barge), with the young Minnie Riperton among the background singers. 


The song, "Rescue Me", shot up the charts in the fall and winter of 1965. After a month-long run at the top of the R&B charts, the song reached #4 on the US pop charts and #11 in the UK...

 "Rescue Me" gave  Chess its first million-selling single since Chuck Berry a decade earlier. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc…


Fontella Bass in 1965

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