Esther Jones (singer)
Esther Jones | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Also known as | Ester Jones Esther Burton Ester Bills[1] |
Born | February 2, 1945 El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
Died | December 8, 2006 Midland, Texas, U.S. | (aged 61)
Genres | Soul, R&B, funk |
Occupation(s) | Singer choreographer |
Esther Jones (February 2, 1945 – December 8, 2006) was an American soul singer and choreographer, best known as the "longest-lasting Ikette" in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue.[2] In the 1980s, she was the lead vocalist in the band Formula 5.
Life and career
Esther Faye Jones was born on February 2, 1945, in El Paso, Texas, to Luchie and Carrie Bills.[3] Growing up in Midland, she sang in church, played percussion and won competitions as a twirler. After she graduated from Carver High School in 1964, she joined a group called the B-29ers and Arty Tolliver as a vocalist.[4]
In 1968,
While she was an Ikette, Jones lived in Los Angeles with her husband, while their three children lived in Texas with her grandparents.[2]
In 1983, Jones released the single "Love Hour" with drummer-singer Tony Davis as Tony & Davis. Jones fronted the soul funk band Formula 5 inches (13 cm) the 1980s. She released two albums, Determination (1985) and On The Rise (1986), with the band on Malaco Records. In 1985, Jones performed at the San Francisco Blues Festival.
Jones moved back to Midland, Texas shortly after she had a stroke in 1992. She also and suffered from multiple myeloma. At age 60, she became a member of the West Texas Aphasia Center, which helps stroke victims learn to communicate.[4] On December 8, 2006, Jones died at the age of 61 at Hospice of Midland.[4] She was survived by her sons Blake Burton and Robert Bills.[3]
Discography
Jones was credited as both Ester Jones and Esther Jones.
Singles
Tony and Esther
- 1983: "Love Hour" (Tyshawn TS 7777)
Formula 5
- 1985: "Cleaning House" (Malaco MAL 1218)
- 1985: "Part Time Lover, Full Time Fool" (Malaco MAL 2114)[8]
Albums
Ike and Tina Turner
- 1971: What You Hear Is What You Get - Live at Carnegie Hall
- 1971: Live in Paris – Olympia 1971
Formula 5
- 1985: Determination (Malaco Records)
- 1986: On The Rise (Malaco Records)
Backing vocal credits
- 1972: Gayle McCormick – Flesh & Blood (Decca Records)
References
- ^ "Spotlights Turn On Her". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. June 2, 1969 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f Sabol, Blair (May 1975). "I Was an lkette for a Night". Esquire: 80.
- ^ a b "Esther Faye Jones". Midland Reporter-Telegram. December 12, 2006 – via Legacy.com.
- ^ a b c Campbell, Ruth (December 11, 2006). "Midlander, backup singer for Ike, Tina Turner, dies". Midland Reporter-Telegram.
- ^ Bernholm, Jonas (July 26, 2019), "Los Angeles: July 30 – August 8, 1968", Soul Music Odyssey USA 1968, York University Libraries
- ^ Thompson, M. Cordell (April 15, 1976). "Trouble Trails Tina Turner". Jet. 50 (4): 59.
- ^ "Soul to Soul Concert in Ghana 1971". Voices of East Anglia. December 21, 2011. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ George, Nelson (June 1, 1985). "The Rhythm & The Blues". Billboard. p. 53.