Esther Phillips

Esther Phillips was an American soul and rhythm & blues singer. Born on December 23, 1935 in Galveston, Texas, she became a prominent figure in the music industry. At just fourteen years old, Esther won an amateur talent contest at the Barrelhouse Club owned by Johnny Otis. Impressed by her talent, Otis added her to his traveling revue and billed her as 'Little Esther'. She achieved great success with hits like "Double Crossing Blues" and "Mistrusting Blues". However, she faced challenges due to drug addiction.

In 1962, after overcoming her struggles with drugs, Esther made a comeback under the name Esther Phillips. Her country tune "Release Me" topped the R&B charts and reached number eight on the pop listings. She later signed with Atlantic Records and gained recognition for her cover of The Beatles' song "And I Love Him". In the 1970s, she ventured into disco music and achieved international success with "What A Difference A Day Made", a modern take on a jazz standard from the 1930s.

Tragically, Esther Phillips passed away at UCLA Medical Center in Carson, California in 1984 at the age of 48 due to liver and kidney failure. Her contributions to soul and rhythm & blues continue to inspire artists today.