Fontella Bass (born July 3, 1940 in St. Louis, Missouri) is an American soul singer, who is best known for the 1965 R&B hit "Rescue Me".Early lifeThe daughter of gospel singer Martha Bass (of the Clara Ward Singers), Bass was exposed to music at an early age, and was singing in her church's choir at six years old. As a teenager, Bass was attracted by more secular music. Throughout high school she began singing R&B songs at local contests and fairs. In 1961, Bass found steady work on the