MAY 1, 1945

CHEROKEE MUSICIAN RITA COOLIDGE BORN

Rita, born in Lafayette, Tennessee, and discovered in Memphis by Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett, was a regular backing singer for Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Dave Mason, Graham Nash, and Stephen Stills. Coolidge, who inspired Leon Russell’s song “Delta Lady,” wrote (but is not credited with) the coda for Clapton’s hit Layla. From 1971-98, she released 19 solo albums (1 Platinum; 2 Gold) & 3 with then-husband Kris Kristofferson (1 Gold) earning 2 Grammy Awards (1974 & 76). In 1977-78, she had 4 Top 25 hits (2 Golds). From 2005-present, Rita released 3 more solo albums and 3 with the Native American (NA) trio Walela which she co-founded with her late sister & daughter, and which performed at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. Her autobiography, Delta Lady: A Memoir, was published in April 2016. Awards: 2 NA Music (NAMMY) Awards–Lifetime Achievement & with Walela, Debut Artist & Song of the Year, 1997; and Lifetime of Musical Achievement from First Americans in the Arts.

Source:

“Rita Coolidge Biography,” The Uncool, The Official Site for Everything Cameron Crowe.  Retrieved 1/8/2023, Rita Coolidge Biography – The Uncool - The Official Site for Everything Cameron Crowe

Rita Coolidge web page.  Retrieved 1/8/2023, Rita Coolidge.

Wikipedia

Photo:  Seattle Municipal Archives, 9/6/2002. Permissive Use. Source:  Item 131474, Fleets and Facilities Department Imagebank Collection (Record Series 0207-01), Seattle Municipal Archives.