Voting Station

Esther Phillips

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Vocalist

The Resume

    (December 23, 1935-August 7, 1984)
    Born in Galveston, Texas
    Birth name was Esther Mae Jones
    As Little Esther recorded 'Double Crossing Blues,' 'Mistrusting Blues,' 'Cupid Boogie,' 'Misery,' 'Deceivin Blues,' 'Wedding Boogie' and 'Faraway Blues' (all 1950)
    As Esther Phillips recorded 'Release Me' (1962), 'And I Love Him' (1965), 'Set me Free' (1970), 'From a Whisper to a Scream' (1972), 'Alone Again (Naturally)' (1973), and 'What a Difference a Day Makes' (1975)

Why she might be annoying:

    She chose her last name from a Phillips gas station.
    She had a reputation for being difficult to work with.
    Her career was frequently interrupted by drug addiction and stints in rehab.

Why she might not be annoying:

    She was discovered by band leader Johnny Otis when her sister entered her into a talent show.
    At age 15, she had six R&B Top Ten hits, including two chart-toppers.
    The Beates were so impressed with her version of 'And I Love Her' that they flew her to London for her first overseas tour.
    Atlantic Records head Ahmet Ertegun said, 'She was a natural singer. She could never sing bad.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 7 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 15 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 13 Votes: 61.54% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 18 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 19 Votes: 73.68% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 24 Votes: 54.17% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 37 Votes: 48.65% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 24 Votes: 45.83% Annoying