Denise LaSalle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Denise LaSalle
LaSalle performing at the 2009 Monterey Bay Blues Festival
Background information
Birth name	Ora Denise Allen
Also known as	Denise Craig, Denise Jones
Born	(1934-07-16)July 16, 1934 The Island, Leflore County, Mississippi, U.S.
Died	January 8, 2018(2018-01-08) (aged 83) Jackson, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres	Blues, R&B, soul, disco
Years active	1967–2018

Ora Denise Allen (born July 16, 1934 – died January 8, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. She was best known by her stage name, Denise LaSalle. She sang blues, R&B, and soul music. After the famous singer Koko Taylor passed away, many people called Denise LaSalle the "Queen of the Blues."

Some of her most famous songs include "Trapped by a Thing Called Love", "I'm So Hot", and "Down Home Blues". Her husband was a rapper named Super Wolf.

Early Life and Beginnings

Denise LaSalle was born Ora Denise Allen on July 16, 1934. She was the youngest of eight children. Her family lived near Sidon, Mississippi, in an area called The Island. Her parents were Nathaniel A. Allen Sr. and Nancy Cooper. Her family worked hard on farms, and Denise helped by picking cotton to support them.

When she was seven, her family moved to Belzoni. There, she sang in church choirs and with local gospel groups. At age 13, she moved to Chicago to live with her oldest brother.

Music Career Highlights

In Chicago, Denise started singing with R&B musicians. She also wrote her own songs. Her music was inspired by both country music and soul blues. Around 1963, she met a musician named Billy "The Kid" Emerson. This led to a one-year recording deal with Chess Records. However, she didn't record any songs with them.

Later, Billy Emerson started his own music label, Tarpon. In 1967, he recorded Denise's first song, "A Love Reputation." It became a small hit in her local area.

Becoming a Star

Denise LaSalle then started her own music production company called Crajon. She ran it with her husband at the time, Bill Jones. In 1971, her song "Trapped By a Thing Called Love" was released. It became a huge success! The song reached number 1 on the national R&B chart. It also hit number 13 on the main Billboard chart. Over a million copies were sold, earning her a gold record award.

She continued to have more hits. Songs like "Now Run and Tell That" and "Man Sized Job" also made it into the R&B top ten. Many of her early hits were recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, with talented musicians. She released three albums with Westbound Records.

New Labels and More Hits

In 1976, Denise moved to Jackson, Tennessee. She signed with ABC Records and had another hit song, "Love Me Right." This song reached number 10 on the R&B chart. When MCA Records took over ABC, Denise made three more albums with them. Her "I'm So Hot" album came out in 1980.

In 1982, Denise LaSalle joined the Malaco label as a songwriter. She wrote songs for other artists, like Z.Z. Hill. Malaco then convinced her to record her own music again. This led to her album Lady in the Street in 1983. She recorded many popular albums with Malaco for 15 years. Her songs were played on radio stations in the southern United States. In 1985, her version of "My Toot-Toot" became a hit in the UK, reaching number 6 on the charts.

Denise performed at the Long Beach Blues Festival in 1984 and 1993. She also sang at the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1993. Her album Smokin' in Bed (1997) also sold very well.

After her time with Malaco, Denise started her own record label called Ordena. She released several albums, including a gospel album called God's Got My Back. She also released This Real Woman, which had a mix of country, R&B, blues, and pop music. In 2002, she recorded for Ecko Records, a smaller soul-blues label, releasing the album Still the Queen. She returned to Malaco in 2010 for her album 24 Hour Woman.

In 2011, Denise LaSalle was honored by being added to the Blues Hall of Fame. She also owned a restaurant called Blues Legend Café in Jackson, Tennessee, where she lived.

Later Life and Passing

Denise LaSalle was married three times. Her last husband was James E. "Super Wolfe" Wolfe Jr., who was a disc jockey and preacher. She had two children.

Denise LaSalle faced some health problems later in life. She had heart issues, and in October 2017, she had surgery on her leg after a fall. She passed away on January 8, 2018, at the age of 83, surrounded by her family.

Honors and Awards

• In 2009, Denise LaSalle was honored with a special marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail in Belzoni.
• She was nominated for a Blues Music Award in 2013 and 2014.
• On June 6, 2015, Denise LaSalle was added to the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.

Discography

Studio and live albums

Compilation albums

• 1973: Doin' It Right
• 1985: My Toot Toot
• 1989: Holdin' Hands with the Blues
• 2001: I Get What I Want: Best of the ABC/MCA Years
• 2003: My Toot Toot: The Definitive Anthology
• 2013: Making A Good Thing Better - The Complete Westbound Singles 1970-76

Singles