Fontella Bass Passes

GOSPELflava joins others across the world in mourning the passing of Fontella Bass.  Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Bass was “schooled in gospel 101” as her mother was a member of the famous  Clara Ward Singers and she would later serve as  accompanist to her grandmother ‘s gospel ensemble .  Fontella would go on to great notoriety co-writing and recording Rescue Me, the first million seller for Chicago’s Chess Records in 1965.  She returned to her gospel roots in 1990 recording Promises: A Family Portrait of Faith in 1990 with her mother Martha Bass and her brother DAvid Peaston.  In 1995, she recorded no Ways Tired, a collection of hymns and gospel songs.