A popular soul singer of the 1960s from St. Louis has died, according to KTVI-TV in St. Louis. Fontella Bass started singing on showboats in the St. Louis area and her early records were produced by Ike Turner. She started off with popularity only in the region, but her recording "Rescue Me" became a smash hit, reaching number one on the billboard charts for four weeks in October of 1965.
Bass later recorded with jazz outfit "the Art Ensemble of Chicago" and was married to jazz legend Lester Bowie. She was a member of the St. Louis Walk of Fame, with a star on Delmar Boulevard.
Bass died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack earlier this month, according to family. She was 72 years old.
