St. Louis’ Fontella Bass Hit Paydirt 46 Years Ago With “Rescue Me”
”Rescue Me” is ubiquitous in commercial culture, featured in everything from a Pizza Hut commercial to an edgy television show starring the delightful Dennis Leary.
But before the song became entwined in the glitz and glam that comes with endorsements, “Rescue Me” was St. Louis native Fontella Bass’ springboard to musical immortality. The song was number one on Billboard’s R&B charts on this day in 1965. It was also hitched at number four on the magazine’s Hot 100 charts.
The daughter of gospel singer Martha Bass, Fontella Bass started her professional career early playing piano at a local club and backing a traveling carnival show. She eventually signed with Checker Records, a subsidiary to the legendary Chess Records.
Before “Rescue Me” burned up the charts, Bass had a hit with Bobby McClure called “Don’t Mess Up a Good Thing.” Soon after, “Rescue Me” was released and became the signature hit of Bass’ musical career.
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