Rita Coolidge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rita Coolidge
Coolidge performing at an outdoor concert in Seattle in September 2002
Background information
Born	(1945-05-01) May 1, 1945 (age 80) Lafayette, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres	R&B pop rock country jazz folk
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter
Instruments	Vocals piano
Years active	1969–present
Labels	A&M Monument Attic Alpha Pony Canyon Concord
Associated acts	Joe Cocker Leon Russell Kris Kristofferson Delaney & Bonnie Eric Clapton Stephen Stills Priscilla Coolidge Walela

Rita Coolidge (born May 1, 1945) is a famous American singer and songwriter. She became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Her songs were often heard on pop, country, and jazz music charts. She also won two Grammy Awards with her former husband, musician Kris Kristofferson. Some of her well-known songs include "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher", "We're All Alone", and "All Time High". The song "All Time High" was even the theme for the 1983 James Bond movie Octopussy.

Life and Music Career

Early Life and Background

Rita Coolidge was born in Lafayette, Tennessee. Her father was a minister and her mother was a schoolteacher. She has two sisters, Linda and Priscilla, and a brother named Raymond. Rita's family has Cherokee heritage.

She went to high school in Nashville and Jacksonville, Florida. Later, she studied at Florida State University.

Starting Her Music Journey

Rita Coolidge began her singing career in Memphis. She was discovered by the music group Delaney & Bonnie. After moving to Los Angeles, she became a backing singer for many famous artists. These included Leon Russell, Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan, and Eric Clapton.

She was a key part of Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour and album. On this tour, she sang the song "Superstar". Rita became known as "The Delta Lady," and Leon Russell even wrote a song with that name for her.

The Song "Layla"

Rita Coolidge has spoken about her role in the famous 1971 song "Layla" by Eric Clapton's band, Derek and the Dominos. She says she helped create the piano part at the end of the song.

In 2016, Rita shared that she had recorded a demo with the band's drummer, Jim Gordon. She played a piece she had composed for Eric Clapton. Clapton was impressed and used it in the song's ending. Rita found out about it when she heard the song playing later. She tried to get credit for her work, but it was difficult.

Another band member, Bobby Whitlock, also said that Jim Gordon used Rita's melody. He mentioned that Rita and Jim had worked on a song called "Time." This song "Time" was later recorded by Rita's sister Priscilla and her husband, Booker T. Jones.

Working with Kris Kristofferson

Coolidge at Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic in 1972

In 1970, Rita met musician Kris Kristofferson at an airport. They soon began working together. They got married in 1973 and had a daughter in 1974. They recorded several albums together, which were very successful.

They won two Grammy Awards for their duet songs. They won in 1974 for "From the Bottle to the Bottom" and in 1976 for "Lover Please". Rita also acted in the 1973 Western film Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, where Kris Kristofferson played the main role.

Cashbox advertisement, June 25, 1977

Rita had her biggest hits on the pop charts in 1977 and 1978. These included popular remakes of "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" and "We're All Alone". Rita and Kris Kristofferson divorced in 1980.

Later Music and Projects

In 1992, Rita Coolidge sang on the title track of Roger Waters' album Amused to Death. She was also one of the first hosts on VH1, a music television channel in the U.S. In 2006, she released an album of classic songs called And So Is Love.

Walela Music Group

In 1997, Rita Coolidge helped form a music group called Walela. This group focused on Native American music. Her sister Priscilla and Priscilla's daughter Laura Satterfield were also in the group.

The word Walela means "hummingbird" in the Cherokee language. The group released several albums and performed at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Her Autobiography

Rita Coolidge wrote a book about her life called Delta Lady: A Memoir. It was published in April 2016.

Personal Life

Coolidge with Kris Kristofferson at the private party after the premiere of the movie A Star Is Born, on December 18, 1976

Rita Coolidge used to live in Fallbrook, California, where she enjoyed painting and showing her artwork.

Relationships

Rita Coolidge had relationships with musicians Stephen Stills and Graham Nash. Her leaving Stills for Nash is sometimes mentioned as a reason for the early breakup of the group Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. She was also involved with Leon Russell and Joe Cocker.

Rita was married to Kris Kristofferson from 1973 to 1980. They had one daughter, who was born in 1974. In her book, Rita shared that her marriage to Kristofferson was difficult. Despite their divorce, Rita told People in 2016 that they still share a special connection.

Rita Coolidge married Tatsuya Suda, a computer researcher, in 2004. They divorced in 2012. In 2017, Rita reconnected with Joe Hutto, a college friend. They married in 2018 and moved to Tallahassee.

Family

In October 2014, Rita's sister, Priscilla, passed away in a tragic event. This was a very painful loss for Rita and her family.

Awards and Recognition

Rita Coolidge was honored by being inducted into the Southern Museum of Music Hall of Fame in 2015.

Grammy Awards

Rita Coolidge has won two Grammy Awards.

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Singles

• ^A B-side of "Fever"
• ^B Charted as a double A-side in Australia backed with "I Don't Want to Talk About It"

See also

In Spanish: Rita Coolidge para niños