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Esther Phillips: Biography, Facts and Career

Who is Esther Phillips? An evergreen, sourced profile: biography, key facts and career.

By the Pop Culture Files editorial team4 min read✓ Fact-checked
Esther Phillips
Atlantic Records via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Esther Phillips (born Esther Mae Washington; December 23, 1935 – August 7, 1984) was an American singer, best known for her R&B vocals. She rose to prominence in 1950, scoring several major R&B hits including "Double Crossing Blues" and "Mistrustin' Blues" under the moniker "Little Esther." In the 1960s, she achieved chart success with the country song "Release Me" and recorded in the pop, jazz, blues and soul genres. Phillips received four Grammy nominations, including for her album From a Whisper to a Scream in 1973, as well as for the album that featured her disco recording of "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes," which was a major hit in 1975. She died from liver and kidney failure due to long-term drug abuse in 1984.

Quick facts about Esther Phillips

  • Full name: Esther Phillips
  • Born: 1935-12-23
  • Nationality: United States
  • Known as: Musician
  • Wikidata ID: Q283069

Profile compiled from public Wikipedia and Wikidata data. Details can change over time.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Esther Phillips?

Esther Phillips (born Esther Mae Washington; December 23, 1935 – August 7, 1984) was an American singer, best known for her R&B vocals.

What nationality is Esther Phillips?

Esther Phillips is United States.

When was Esther Phillips born?

Esther Phillips was born on 1935-12-23.

Sources

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