Esther Phillips

American influential Soul and Rhythm & Blues singer (December 23, 1935, Galveston, Texas - August 7, 1984 in Carson, California).

Her career started when she won the amateur talent contest in 1949 at the Barrelhouse Club owned by [a=Johnny Otis]. Initially she went under the monicker 'Little Esther' and was part of the California Rhythm and Blues Caravan. Her first hit record was "Double Crossing Blues" (#1 R+B), recorded in 1950 for [l=Savoy Records]. Unfortunately her career stalled in the mid 1950's due to an addiction to drugs.

Phillips recovered to launch a comeback in 1962, now as Esther Phillips instead of Little Esther. She died at UCLA Medical Center in Carson, California in 1984, at the age of 48 from liver and kidney failure.