Photo: RogerEbert.com
Legendary performer and soul singer Sharon Jones of the Dap-Kings lost her battle with pancreatic cancer last Friday at the age of 60.
Sharon Jones’ career is truly remarkable because she rose to fame later in life. Initially when Jones tried to pursue a career in music, executives told her she was “too short, too fat, too black and too old.” The Augusta, Ga born Jones who moved to Bedstuy, Brooklyn at age 4, worked as a security guard at Rikers Island and for Wells Fargo while continuing to pursue her dream. Despite the obstacles, Jones found success with the Dap-Kinds in her early 40s with their first album Dap Dippin’ with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings released in 2001. The rest is herstory.
Terry Gross of NPR’s Fresh Air, revisits interviews with legendary singer Sharon Jones of the Dap-Kings, who died of pancreatic cancer last Friday. Gross states:
“We have two interviews to play for you. Sharon Jones has been called the female James Brown. She grew up in his hometown Augusta, Ga., and imitated him as a child. She became known for fronting the band the Dap-Kings. The band’s retro soul sound was also heard on several tracks of Amy Winehouse’s hit album ‘Back To Black,’ including the songs ‘Rehab’ and ‘You Know I’m No Good.'”
Gross’ first interview with Jones was recorded in 2007 and also includes Dap-Kings founder Gabriel Roth also known as Bosco Mann.
Gross goes on to interview Sharon Jones last July about her latest album ‘Give the People What They Want,” and Barbara Kopple’s documentary entitled, Miss Sharon Jones. Watch the trailer and an excerpt from the documentary below:
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings performed with Prince in July of 2011. Check it out below:
Read Jon Pareles remembrance of Jones for the New York Times here.Â
Sharon Jones was 60-years-old.
This post was curated by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow her on Twitter @Ntellectual.
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