Fontella Bass (born July 3, 1940 in St. Louis, Missouri - died December 26, 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri) was an American
soul and
rnb singer, recording the iconic hit "
Rescue Me" in 1965. The daughter of
gospel singer Martha Bass (of the
Clara Ward Singers), Bass was exposed to music at an early age. She was singing in her church's choir at just six years old. As a teenager, Bass was attracted by more secular music. Throughout high school she began singing contemporary
R&B songs at local contests and fairs. In 1961, Bass found steady work on the local Leon Claxton…
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