767 Fontella Bass (1940-2012) “Rescue Me” 1965

“Fontella Bass was 25 when she cut ‘Rescue Me,’ the 1965 hit that became an anthem of deliverance for Vietnam War protesters and soldiers alike. Though she cowrote the tune with Carl William Smith and Raynard Miner, she didn't begin receiving credit -- or royalties -- until 1990.” She said, “The record came out, and my name was not on the sleeve [as cowriter]. And when I asked about it, [the people at the record company] told me, ‘Don't worry, we're gonna change that.’ But they never did. Here I was, a million-seller with no money. But I wanted to move on. I moved to France for three years. But before I did, I sang commercials for Nehi soda, Lincoln-Mercury, AC Spark Plugs and Sears. I made more in commercials than with ‘Rescue Me’” (People, 6/19/1995). 

Fontella Bass “Rescue Me”