Coolidge, Rita (1944–)

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Coolidge, Rita (1944–)

American singer. Name variations: Walela. Born May 1, 1944, in Lafayette, Tennessee; dau. of a Baptist minister and Cherokee Indian; sister of Priscilla Coolidge (singer); m. Kris Kristofferson (singer and actor), 1973 (div. 1980); children: (1st m.) daughter.

Sang with Delaney & Bonnie and Friends; worked as backup singer for Eric Clapton, Boz Scaggs, and Marc Benno, among others; released solo album Anytime … Anywhere (1977), which went platinum, and had hit singles "Higher and Higher," "We're All Alone" and "The Way You Do the Things You Do"; played cameo roles in husband's films, including A Star Is Born; with Kristofferson, earned 2 Grammys for best country duo for work on album Natural Act (1979); had '80s hit "All Time High" from film Octopussy (1983); with sister Priscilla and niece Laura Satterfield, formed trio Walela whose debut album includes version of "Amazing Grace" sung in Cherokee (1997). Albums include Rita Coolidge (1971), Lady's Not for Sale (1972), Cherokee (1995), Out of the Blues (1996), Thinkin' About You (1998), and, with Walela, Unbearable Love (2000).

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