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Delta Lady: A Memoir
The two-time Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter bares her heart and soul in this intimate memoir, a story of music, stardom, love, family, heritage, and resilience. She inspired songs-Leon Russell wrote "A Song for You" and "Delta Lady" for her, Stephen Stills wrote "Cherokee." She co-wrote songs-"Superstar" and the piano coda to "Layla," uncredited. She sang backup for Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, and Stills, before finding fame as a solo artist with such hits as "We're All Alone" and "(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher."
Following her story from Lafayette, Tennessee to becoming one of the most sought after rock vocalists in LA in the 1970s, Delta Lady chronicles Rita Coolidge's fascinating journey throughout the '60s-'70s pop/rock universe. A muse to some of the twentieth century's most influential rock musicians, she broke hearts, and broke up bands. Her relationship with drummer Jim Gordon took a violent turn during the legendary 1970 Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour; David Crosby maintained that her triangle with Stills and Graham Nash was the last straw for the group. Her volatile six-year marriage to Kris Kristofferson yielded two Grammys, a daughter, and one of the Baby Boom generation's epic love stories. Throughout it all, her strength, resilience, and inner and outer beauty-along with her strong sense of heritage and devotion to her family-helped her to not only survive, but thrive.
Co-written with best-selling author Michael Walker, Delta Lady is a rich, deeply personal memoir that offers a front row seat to an iconic era, and illuminates the life of an artist whose career has helped shape modern American culture.
Following her story from Lafayette, Tennessee to becoming one of the most sought after rock vocalists in LA in the 1970s, Delta Lady chronicles Rita Coolidge's fascinating journey throughout the '60s-'70s pop/rock universe. A muse to some of the twentieth century's most influential rock musicians, she broke hearts, and broke up bands. Her relationship with drummer Jim Gordon took a violent turn during the legendary 1970 Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour; David Crosby maintained that her triangle with Stills and Graham Nash was the last straw for the group. Her volatile six-year marriage to Kris Kristofferson yielded two Grammys, a daughter, and one of the Baby Boom generation's epic love stories. Throughout it all, her strength, resilience, and inner and outer beauty-along with her strong sense of heritage and devotion to her family-helped her to not only survive, but thrive.
Co-written with best-selling author Michael Walker, Delta Lady is a rich, deeply personal memoir that offers a front row seat to an iconic era, and illuminates the life of an artist whose career has helped shape modern American culture.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2016
170 people are currently reading
464 people want to read
About the author
Rita Coolidge
5 books1 followerRita Coolidge is an American recording artist and songwriter who started her career in the 1970s as a backup singer for Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker and others. She hit the charts during the 1970s and 1980s and won two Grammy Awards with musician and former husband Kris Kristofferson. She and Kristofferson have one daughter, Casey. Among her hits were All Time High, the theme for the 1983 James Bond movie Octopussy, Coolidge was one of the founding members of Walela, a Native American music trio, which also included Coolidge's sister Priscilla who was murdered in 2014. Coolidge now lives in southern California and continues to tour.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
October 28, 2016
Some books just take us back. Rita Coolidge and Kris Kristofferson were my first couple crush. Thought Rita was beautiful, her voice so clear, mellow and emotive. Thought Kris was gorgeous, A star is Born is the only movie I ever stood in line for and as a couple they were phenomenal. Was devastated when it didn't last, was to young to be cynical yet.
The music of the times, Graham Nash, Joe Cocker, Cher, Clapton, George Harrison, all phenomenal, all part of the scene. Loved reading Rita's thoughts on this time period, these musicians as well as others. She gives a special nod to Bob Dylan, this book came out before he won his big controversial prize, saying she wonders if he realizes how much his words effected a generation. Her youth, her closeness with her sister, Patsy and Patsy's horrific end. Her career, loves and her marriage. Plenty of drug use ne alcohol, but she did not heavily partake in either. The music, lifestyle and scene. Gobbled it all up, loved the way she told her story. I highly respect not only her musical abilities but her view of her past and present life.
The music of the times, Graham Nash, Joe Cocker, Cher, Clapton, George Harrison, all phenomenal, all part of the scene. Loved reading Rita's thoughts on this time period, these musicians as well as others. She gives a special nod to Bob Dylan, this book came out before he won his big controversial prize, saying she wonders if he realizes how much his words effected a generation. Her youth, her closeness with her sister, Patsy and Patsy's horrific end. Her career, loves and her marriage. Plenty of drug use ne alcohol, but she did not heavily partake in either. The music, lifestyle and scene. Gobbled it all up, loved the way she told her story. I highly respect not only her musical abilities but her view of her past and present life.
March 1, 2016
Rita Coolidge, a Two-time Grammy Award–winning singer is best known for her vocal sensitivity, singing backup to numerous rock stars and for her marriage to Kris Kristofferson. This memoir is just what you would expect from a woman with southern roots. Rita writes about being a star, being in the orbit of stars but manages to do so in a manner that is genteel and with loving memories. Don't get me wrong. Rita tells it how it TRULY was, from the drugs, love affairs, breaking up of CSNY and what really happened to her marriage. The difference is that this book seems to come from a place of love and not an expose of the behavior of others.
Note: I received a free review copy of this book and was not compensated for it.
Note: I received a free review copy of this book and was not compensated for it.
May 23, 2016
Despite the three-star rating, I did enjoy this memoir, but it is not well-written. I LOVE Rita Coolidge, and her book was full of interesting stories of which I was completely unaware. I honestly had no knowledge of her connections to so many other performers in the music industry. Her life and career have been truly amazing. That said, the book jumped around too much and had a bit much music jargon for my taste. I am still delighted that I read it.
April 12, 2016
The famous songstress with the natural voice comes across as an authentic person. I knew her during her FSU days and have seen her over the years backstage to speak about where we were at various stages of our lives. She is still the same warm, fair, talented young woman I knew in Tallahassee. She's not a name dropper; however, she did move with the people who made the music we loved at a time when America was in turmoil. In this genuine autobiography we get an insider's look at the inequities for men and women in the music biz. The story of "Layla" is typical. I will think about her side of the story every time I hear the song. I won't reveal it here, but it'll make you angry too.
The fact that she identifies abusers is important. She came from a solid family who stuck together. I felt her disappointment in others. It made listen to all her songs again, some that are so inspirational that they can take anyone "Higher and Higher." It's a well-written book that captures the high and lows of any life, just with the famous thrown into the mix.
The fact that she identifies abusers is important. She came from a solid family who stuck together. I felt her disappointment in others. It made listen to all her songs again, some that are so inspirational that they can take anyone "Higher and Higher." It's a well-written book that captures the high and lows of any life, just with the famous thrown into the mix.
April 21, 2016
Interesting -- poorly written; Rita always seems to be the victim.
May 6, 2016
Songstress Rita Coolidge recalls her extraordinary music career and her association with the legendary musicians of rock history in her captivating confessional memoir "Delta Lady". Unlike the typical celebrity memoir that carefully avoids revealing intimate details and personal information, Rita never hesitates to share inside story-- name the names, places, situations, and how she felt at the time.
Returning to the Memphis music scene in 1967 after studying education at Florida State University, Rita was hired to sing back-up vocals for commercials at a local radio station. Soon she joined the pop duo Delaney and Bonnie and became acquainted with Ike and Tina Turner, and met Janis Joplin on a concert tour. Rita's sister Pricilla was dating Brooker T. Jones (of the MG's), they both loved the Memphis sound of Soul, Instrumental, Jazz, R&B, mixed with pop, which Rita compared to music scene in Detroit. When her frightened mother called to tell Rita the Klan left a burning cross in her parents front yard, the incident became one of the reasons Rita decided to leave the South. Rita drove with Leon Russell relocating to his home in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles music scene in the early 1970's was incredible as Rita toured with Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs and the Englishmen Tour". Rita felt Cocker was badly exploited by music promoters. George Harrison was also on the scene with his beautiful wife and model Pattie Boyd, as their triangle unfolded with Eric Clapton: "exposing every fiber of his aching heart" creating Clapton's greatest music contribution to rock history "Layla". Rita explained about how she has made peace with not being acknowledged for her own contribution to "Layla", also the song "Superstar" which was a big hit for the Carpenters.
The music scene was rapidly changing as musicians moved from alcohol and pot to harder drugs-- cocaine and heroin. Friends who had formerly loved and trusted each other were betrayed, the drugs took away a person's "moral base" and "humanity". Rita the observed domestic violence of Tina Turner. Later, a boyfriend responsible for assaulting Rita was convicted and sentenced to a California psychiatric prison for first degree murder.
Rita recalled her involvement with David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash. After Nash's painful break-up with Joni Mitchell, Rita described Nash as an extremely sensitive and loving man to be with, and they are friends to this day. After meeting Kris Kristofferson on a flight while touring, the connection between them was like magic, she knew they would marry. Fans loved seeing the pair perform together, they were married for six years and had a daughter. Despite all the love, chemistry, and good times-- Rita candidly revealed what happened when things between them weren't so good, including the story of rude clueless women who would approach her after concerts and ask her to give Kristofferson a message from them.
Later, following divorce, Rita enjoyed the liberating effects of being able to focus on her music and career; and didn't remarry until she was in her late fifties. Rita and her parents had always been close, they were married for 74 years until they passed away in 2012. Despite a terrible family tragedy in 2014, Rita felt blessed to have several close friends and such an incredible music career. There are several pages of great photos included. ~ With thanks to the Seattle Public Library.
Returning to the Memphis music scene in 1967 after studying education at Florida State University, Rita was hired to sing back-up vocals for commercials at a local radio station. Soon she joined the pop duo Delaney and Bonnie and became acquainted with Ike and Tina Turner, and met Janis Joplin on a concert tour. Rita's sister Pricilla was dating Brooker T. Jones (of the MG's), they both loved the Memphis sound of Soul, Instrumental, Jazz, R&B, mixed with pop, which Rita compared to music scene in Detroit. When her frightened mother called to tell Rita the Klan left a burning cross in her parents front yard, the incident became one of the reasons Rita decided to leave the South. Rita drove with Leon Russell relocating to his home in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles music scene in the early 1970's was incredible as Rita toured with Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs and the Englishmen Tour". Rita felt Cocker was badly exploited by music promoters. George Harrison was also on the scene with his beautiful wife and model Pattie Boyd, as their triangle unfolded with Eric Clapton: "exposing every fiber of his aching heart" creating Clapton's greatest music contribution to rock history "Layla". Rita explained about how she has made peace with not being acknowledged for her own contribution to "Layla", also the song "Superstar" which was a big hit for the Carpenters.
The music scene was rapidly changing as musicians moved from alcohol and pot to harder drugs-- cocaine and heroin. Friends who had formerly loved and trusted each other were betrayed, the drugs took away a person's "moral base" and "humanity". Rita the observed domestic violence of Tina Turner. Later, a boyfriend responsible for assaulting Rita was convicted and sentenced to a California psychiatric prison for first degree murder.
Rita recalled her involvement with David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash. After Nash's painful break-up with Joni Mitchell, Rita described Nash as an extremely sensitive and loving man to be with, and they are friends to this day. After meeting Kris Kristofferson on a flight while touring, the connection between them was like magic, she knew they would marry. Fans loved seeing the pair perform together, they were married for six years and had a daughter. Despite all the love, chemistry, and good times-- Rita candidly revealed what happened when things between them weren't so good, including the story of rude clueless women who would approach her after concerts and ask her to give Kristofferson a message from them.
Later, following divorce, Rita enjoyed the liberating effects of being able to focus on her music and career; and didn't remarry until she was in her late fifties. Rita and her parents had always been close, they were married for 74 years until they passed away in 2012. Despite a terrible family tragedy in 2014, Rita felt blessed to have several close friends and such an incredible music career. There are several pages of great photos included. ~ With thanks to the Seattle Public Library.
April 28, 2016
(2 1/2). Long ago........and so far away, I was a concert promoter. My very first show was Joe Cocker, Mad Dogs and Englishmen. Rita Coolidge was one of the backup singers in that amazing troupe. I have followed her career since and have almost all of her albums in my vinyl collection. This book takes me back to those times in a gentle and interesting way. This memoir reminds me a little of the Linda Ronstadt effort, as Rita does her best not to throw anyone under the bus. Her husband and father of their child, Kris Kristofferson, gets in some trouble but it certainly was self inflicted. Coolidge's career was a nice ride and her beautiful singing voice took her to a semblance of success right from the start. He family life comes off well and she appears to be very comfortable in her own skin. It is a sweet book and if you are a big music fan (like me) I think you will find it informative and touching at the same time.
April 14, 2016
I always loved Rita's soulful rendition of the song she wrote with others "Superstar". There was a time when you couldn't turn the radio on without soon hearing it. This was long before Karen Carpenter sang it.
This book enabled me to get to know Rita a bit better. I am struck by what a kind and forgiving lady she is.
This book enabled me to get to know Rita a bit better. I am struck by what a kind and forgiving lady she is.
July 28, 2016
I loved the way she shared her life and her story without trashing anyone or being too explicit. I was able to enjoy the story of her loves without feeling icky afterwards. Very fun reading!
May 1, 2016
I was a fan of Rita Coolidge since I was 10 in 1969. This is her autobiography and obviously she loves singing and has worked with a lot of great singers but what is stunning is how she has chosen all the wrong men to get involved with and all the abuse she has tolerated.
Leon Russell had her agree to move to his home in LA by car from Tennessee. She had to do all of the driving, all the hauling luggage, and check them in motels at night while he hid in the car and she had to pretend he was her sick husband. Why? He was afraid people wouldn't like him due to his long hair and beard. As she was unloading the luggage at his house in LA, he ran inside and shaved his beard off and cut his hair short, leaving her puzzled and wondering why he didn't do that in Tennessee before the road trip. He then made her do all the cooking and cleaning for him and his stream of friends and then tried to make her half a three way with him and a male friend.
She dated Stephen Stills knowing she wanted Graham Nash instead and then dumped him for Graham and when she and Graham went to Stephen's house to tell him, Stills felt so betrayed and humiliated he lashed out at Graham Nash and David Crosby had to break it up. Crosby said she broke up his band with this whoring around.
She took up with a married-with-children black man and had a long affair with him. She took up with drummer Jim Gordon and wrote the music that Eric Clapton later stole and used for his song Layla (she had done a demo of the music in a song she wrote and instead of buying it, Clapton stole it and gave Gordon some credit but not Rita though she confronted him on it and others knew she had written it and said so) and she was threatened when she tried to get credit. On Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour, Gordon took her out in the hall and beat her up, leaving her with a black eye that lasted the rest of the tour and she didn't have the sense to have him arrested. Gordon would go on to murder his mother. He is still in a prison for the criminally insane.
Rita was then introduced to Kris Kristofferson at the airport in Los Angeles, sat with him on the plane and they decided they would get married and name their first kid Casey. Of course there was a problem with this- he was already married to his wife Fran and had 2 kids including a baby that was not even 1 year old. Promiscuous Rita slept with him that night and then they shacked up for year, even trying to conceive a baby while Kris ignored his wife and kids. When Rita got pregnant, Kris finally divorced his wife. Kris had not treated Rita well. It was awful reading about the emotional and physical abuse (he gave her a black eye in front of Casey one night) and Kris himself admitted to a People magazine reporter in 1977 that he had beaten "Rita like a drum all night" for years. He was controlling and emotionally abusive and cheated on her from the start. She complained about women sleeping with him knowing he was married never stopping to think about the wife and kids of the married black man she had an affair with or even Kris' wife and kids when she shacked up with him for years while he was married. Even on their wedding day, he showed up late and drunk.
For years it was reported that Rita had a miscarriage and lost Kris' and her second baby when in fact she had a third trimester abortion to save her own life. When she was 7 months pregnant, she and Kris and Casey went on vacation in Hawaii. She kept having periods when she didn't feel the baby move which you would definitely feel at 7 months. Instead of rushing to an emergency room and saying she didn't always feel it and have them check it while she still did feel some movement, she waited until after the vacation (!) to go home and make an appointment with her OB. The OB was a creep. He asked "You gave up cigarettes for this baby?" and when she said yes, he handed her a cigarette and said she could smoke it since the baby was dead. What kind of creep does this? He then made her wait a whole month to see if the fetus would spontanteously miscarry and when she got an infection, they had to do a late term abortion. Abortion had only been legal for 4 years so she was made to suffer emotionally and physically for a month with a dead baby inside her.
There is a LOT more interesting stuff here so pick up a copy of this conversational autobiography and check it all out. If you loved the music of the 1960's through 1980's and everything between, you'll find out about Rita and all the people she worked with which is a Who's Who of the top acts (including a Beatle!).
Leon Russell had her agree to move to his home in LA by car from Tennessee. She had to do all of the driving, all the hauling luggage, and check them in motels at night while he hid in the car and she had to pretend he was her sick husband. Why? He was afraid people wouldn't like him due to his long hair and beard. As she was unloading the luggage at his house in LA, he ran inside and shaved his beard off and cut his hair short, leaving her puzzled and wondering why he didn't do that in Tennessee before the road trip. He then made her do all the cooking and cleaning for him and his stream of friends and then tried to make her half a three way with him and a male friend.
She dated Stephen Stills knowing she wanted Graham Nash instead and then dumped him for Graham and when she and Graham went to Stephen's house to tell him, Stills felt so betrayed and humiliated he lashed out at Graham Nash and David Crosby had to break it up. Crosby said she broke up his band with this whoring around.
She took up with a married-with-children black man and had a long affair with him. She took up with drummer Jim Gordon and wrote the music that Eric Clapton later stole and used for his song Layla (she had done a demo of the music in a song she wrote and instead of buying it, Clapton stole it and gave Gordon some credit but not Rita though she confronted him on it and others knew she had written it and said so) and she was threatened when she tried to get credit. On Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour, Gordon took her out in the hall and beat her up, leaving her with a black eye that lasted the rest of the tour and she didn't have the sense to have him arrested. Gordon would go on to murder his mother. He is still in a prison for the criminally insane.
Rita was then introduced to Kris Kristofferson at the airport in Los Angeles, sat with him on the plane and they decided they would get married and name their first kid Casey. Of course there was a problem with this- he was already married to his wife Fran and had 2 kids including a baby that was not even 1 year old. Promiscuous Rita slept with him that night and then they shacked up for year, even trying to conceive a baby while Kris ignored his wife and kids. When Rita got pregnant, Kris finally divorced his wife. Kris had not treated Rita well. It was awful reading about the emotional and physical abuse (he gave her a black eye in front of Casey one night) and Kris himself admitted to a People magazine reporter in 1977 that he had beaten "Rita like a drum all night" for years. He was controlling and emotionally abusive and cheated on her from the start. She complained about women sleeping with him knowing he was married never stopping to think about the wife and kids of the married black man she had an affair with or even Kris' wife and kids when she shacked up with him for years while he was married. Even on their wedding day, he showed up late and drunk.
For years it was reported that Rita had a miscarriage and lost Kris' and her second baby when in fact she had a third trimester abortion to save her own life. When she was 7 months pregnant, she and Kris and Casey went on vacation in Hawaii. She kept having periods when she didn't feel the baby move which you would definitely feel at 7 months. Instead of rushing to an emergency room and saying she didn't always feel it and have them check it while she still did feel some movement, she waited until after the vacation (!) to go home and make an appointment with her OB. The OB was a creep. He asked "You gave up cigarettes for this baby?" and when she said yes, he handed her a cigarette and said she could smoke it since the baby was dead. What kind of creep does this? He then made her wait a whole month to see if the fetus would spontanteously miscarry and when she got an infection, they had to do a late term abortion. Abortion had only been legal for 4 years so she was made to suffer emotionally and physically for a month with a dead baby inside her.
There is a LOT more interesting stuff here so pick up a copy of this conversational autobiography and check it all out. If you loved the music of the 1960's through 1980's and everything between, you'll find out about Rita and all the people she worked with which is a Who's Who of the top acts (including a Beatle!).
April 21, 2016
I read this book on impulse, and I'm still not entirely sure why. Rita Coolidge is not only marginal to my musical consciousness, she's pretty marginal to the world's as well. If she was profoundly uninteresting as a solo artist, she was a great backup singer for innumerable LA sessions back in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Her life also had a fairly unusual trajectory. A minister's daughter with Cherokee ancestry from both parents, she was raised in Nashville where she was on the same cheerleading squad as a post-fame Brenda Lee of all people. She graduated from college, moved to Memphis where her older sister Priscilla married Booker T. (of the MG's). She did session work for Delaney & Bonnie's first (and only) album for Stax records, then followed them to the west coast. From there follows relationships with Leon Russell (weird guy), Jim Gordon (paranoid schizophrenic guy), Steve Stills (egomaniacal guy), Graham Nash (nice guy), until she married Kris Kristofferson (alcoholic guy).
David Crosby blamed Coolidge for CSNY's first breakup in 1970, going so far as to write a song ("Cowboy Movie") in which she plays the villain. A more accurate assessment would be that Stills was a coke-fueled narcissist. (The funniest story is her account of Stills and Booker T meeting at the sessions for her first album, whereupon the guitarist hailed the occasion as the coming together of the two greatest musical geniuses of their time.)
Coolidge herself comes across as pretty level-headed and likable. She has a few axes to grind, although even then she doesn't seem unreasonable. (Except maybe a few swipes at Kristofferson, although he probably deserved them.)
The book is a quick read and pretty entertaining. The reader never discovers what made this level-headed woman surround herself with so many crazy people, but it makes for a more interesting memoir than it would have otherwise.
Her life also had a fairly unusual trajectory. A minister's daughter with Cherokee ancestry from both parents, she was raised in Nashville where she was on the same cheerleading squad as a post-fame Brenda Lee of all people. She graduated from college, moved to Memphis where her older sister Priscilla married Booker T. (of the MG's). She did session work for Delaney & Bonnie's first (and only) album for Stax records, then followed them to the west coast. From there follows relationships with Leon Russell (weird guy), Jim Gordon (paranoid schizophrenic guy), Steve Stills (egomaniacal guy), Graham Nash (nice guy), until she married Kris Kristofferson (alcoholic guy).
David Crosby blamed Coolidge for CSNY's first breakup in 1970, going so far as to write a song ("Cowboy Movie") in which she plays the villain. A more accurate assessment would be that Stills was a coke-fueled narcissist. (The funniest story is her account of Stills and Booker T meeting at the sessions for her first album, whereupon the guitarist hailed the occasion as the coming together of the two greatest musical geniuses of their time.)
Coolidge herself comes across as pretty level-headed and likable. She has a few axes to grind, although even then she doesn't seem unreasonable. (Except maybe a few swipes at Kristofferson, although he probably deserved them.)
The book is a quick read and pretty entertaining. The reader never discovers what made this level-headed woman surround herself with so many crazy people, but it makes for a more interesting memoir than it would have otherwise.
August 25, 2016
I'm finished with Delta Lady: This was a very nice Bio on Rita Coolidge I have loved her music for many years and only earlier this year I had the opportunity to Have and Interview With Rita on my Radio Show. Its a shame that I didn't read Delta Lady before we had the interview. Rita has a very honest and strong story to tell us about her life and I feel that she has really held back nothing
5stars
5stars
July 10, 2016
I think is a must for anyone who enjoys reading about '70s music. Coolidge writes honestly about her times performing with Joe Cocker, Delaney and Bonnie, Eric Clapton, Kris Kristofferson and her own solo career. I thought it could have been longer. very entertaining book.
March 27, 2018
I enjoyed this memoir very much. Rita Coolidge was most popular during my early child raising years so I didn’t know much about her. She is a strong woman who seems non judgmental and compassionate. Many happy and many sad events in her life.
July 15, 2016
What a list of ex-boyfriends. What a life.
November 21, 2025
Her memoir is honest and forthright. She was born in Tennessee and her dad was full Cherokee and a Baptist minister. Her mother was a schoolteacher and half Cherokee. She always loved music. She tells of her first relationship with a guy who hit her in her eye so bad she was hospitalized for weeks. She was romantically involved with Leon Russell, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash. She not only did duets with Kris Kristofferson but she was married to him, suffering the ups and downs of his alcoholism. I listened to some of her music again and it put me right back in the seventies.
November 27, 2024
Rita Coolidge not only has a beautiful voice, she has a beautiful soul, which come through in her memoir. She walks us through her life with enough detail to give us an understanding of the people and events that form her foundation, but not so much that we get mired in the weeds. I consider myself knowledgeable about rock/pop history, but I found myself continually being reminded of how much Rita was part of its history. Her formative years were rock’s formative years, too.
I recommend this for fans of Rita’s music and/or fans of 70s music. And, for crying out loud, can we give the woman some credit for her part in writing “Layla”? (Little has happened to change my opinion that Eric Clapton is an ass.)
I recommend this for fans of Rita’s music and/or fans of 70s music. And, for crying out loud, can we give the woman some credit for her part in writing “Layla”? (Little has happened to change my opinion that Eric Clapton is an ass.)
May 23, 2018
I believe this book should be categorized as fiction, not a Memoir.
Reading this book, I was very disappointed in Rita Coolidge.
She was a very promiscious young woman. If you believe what she wrote, she had an affair with a married, black man. How is that acceptable? How can she possible justify her behavior? Not with me. She also slept with Gordon Gregory, Leon Russell, Mabon "Teenie" Hodges, Jim Gordon, and Graham Nash. She wants me to believe that she was a factor in the breakup of Crosby, Stills and Nash due to the tug of war of affections between her, Nash, and Stills. I don't believe a word of it. Then she married Kris Kristoferson who was clearly an alcoholic and was never faithful to her.
The book should have been called "Rita Coolidge, how I survived the 1960's and 1970's without getting VD."
Yes, I know the 60's was all about free love, but Rita was ridiculous! Have some self respect!
I don't believe most of the information in this book. I do not believe that Rita Coolidge knew the people she talks about in this book. I think some of the content of this book may have been obtained secondhand. I don't find the majority of her book believable.
I also became very tired of her obsessive fixation of Delaney and Bonnie. Too much of this book is focused on them.
If any of the following is true: I appreciated what she shared about Tina Turner. I was very moved about the civil rights movement in Memphis. I enjoying reading about her Cherokee heritage and her family.
Thank goodness Jim Gordon is in prison.
I am very sorry that Rita's sister was murdered by her husband.
I would have liked Rita to have written more about the relationship she has with her daughter.
Reading this book, I was very disappointed in Rita Coolidge.
She was a very promiscious young woman. If you believe what she wrote, she had an affair with a married, black man. How is that acceptable? How can she possible justify her behavior? Not with me. She also slept with Gordon Gregory, Leon Russell, Mabon "Teenie" Hodges, Jim Gordon, and Graham Nash. She wants me to believe that she was a factor in the breakup of Crosby, Stills and Nash due to the tug of war of affections between her, Nash, and Stills. I don't believe a word of it. Then she married Kris Kristoferson who was clearly an alcoholic and was never faithful to her.
The book should have been called "Rita Coolidge, how I survived the 1960's and 1970's without getting VD."
Yes, I know the 60's was all about free love, but Rita was ridiculous! Have some self respect!
I don't believe most of the information in this book. I do not believe that Rita Coolidge knew the people she talks about in this book. I think some of the content of this book may have been obtained secondhand. I don't find the majority of her book believable.
I also became very tired of her obsessive fixation of Delaney and Bonnie. Too much of this book is focused on them.
If any of the following is true: I appreciated what she shared about Tina Turner. I was very moved about the civil rights movement in Memphis. I enjoying reading about her Cherokee heritage and her family.
Thank goodness Jim Gordon is in prison.
I am very sorry that Rita's sister was murdered by her husband.
I would have liked Rita to have written more about the relationship she has with her daughter.
October 18, 2016
Delta Lady: A Memoir by Rita Coolidge (Harper Collins 2016) (780.92). Rita Coolidge was a popular singer in the 1960's and 1970's and may have been best known for having been married to outlaw crooner Kris Kristopherson. She was a Cherokee Indian from west Tennessee. Her breakout performances came while she was employed as a backup singer for Joe Cocker and Leon Russell on the famed “Mad Dogs and Englishmen” tour. She was gorgeous; she had long dark hair, dark eyes, and dark skin. She certainly had her pick of the rock stars of her day. She shares details of her relationships with Leon Russell, Steven Stills, Graham Nash, Jim Gordon, and Kris Kristopherson. (See if you can guess which two of those guys punched her and gave her black eyes.) This little volume is styled as a tell-all, but it seems more like a grab for a payday. My rating: 7/10, finished 10/17/16.
July 25, 2016
Some of the things that Coolidge writes about seem to pass fleetingly in her descriptions, while others - which often seemed less important to me - are dealt with in much detail. Her former husband, Kris Kristofferson, comes across largely as an irresponsible jerk, despite her continuing love for him. I'm guessing that her co-writer, Michael Walker, probably had no involvement with her photo captions, in which she continually uses "I" when it should be "me".
February 10, 2019
A good memoir about Rita, her career, the Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour, Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and Kris Kristopherson. I read it because of her conection with Leon Russell and the MD&E tour (great album and movie). Recommended for anyone that enjoys music of that era.
July 18, 2016
About Kris
Well written. Interesting life and career. Want to read all I can about my favorite of all time, Kris Kristofferson.
Well written. Interesting life and career. Want to read all I can about my favorite of all time, Kris Kristofferson.
October 21, 2022
I really liked this book because Rita Coolidge's story includes many of my favorite 60's & 70's rock musicians: Eric Clapton, George Harrison, the members of CSN, Joe Cocker and Leon Russell. Beside her solo soft-rock hits of the 70's, she sang backup on mega-hits like Steven Stills' "Love the One Your With" and Clapton's cover of J.J. Cale's "After Midnight," among others. She was also part of the crazy, psychedelic rock circus known as Mad Dogs & Englishmen, which I've been fascinated with since I saw the film version at a midnight showing in the early 70's. But after reading Coolidges's account of these concerts, I realized it wasn't all stoned peace, love & music; instead the tour featured a grueling, over-scheduled itinerary of 48 cities in 56 days which left them all strung-out & exhausted, & uncontrolled access to any and all groupies and hangers-on. At times there were up to 45 people on stage, which made for a raucous film to the detriment of the music. Coolidge herself was beaten up backstage by ace drummer Jim Gordon, her psychotic boyfriend, (who would later murder his own mother and resides in a psych ward to this day) and had to finish the concerts with a glaring black eye. Almost half the cast ended up with VD and the music had to be re-recorded for the film and album because of the incompetent singers that were allowed to scream on the mike.
Coolidge's relationships read like a rock star litany of the era: Leon Russell, Joe Cocker, Steven Stills, Graham Nash, and her eventual husband, Kris Kristofferson. However, as she asserts, she was no groupie but saw herself as an equal musician and partner, though she wasn't always treated as such in the misogynistic world of rock. She comes off as a caring, empathetic and strong woman who survived amidst the tumult of this drug-infused scene, which got increasingly nasty with the transition from pot & LSD to cocaine. Rita herself was never a big druggie, but she was not judgemental unless those around her acted out in violent or vulgar ways. She is also humble, stating that although she is not the best singer (compare her version of "Superstar" to Karen Carpenter's) she persisted and had the right type of voice & looks for the time. She's also not a deep thinker or writer, but I admire her lack of the thoughtlessness and narcissism that is found in many rock bios, as well as her strength, talent and loyalty. She briefly touches on the enormous changes taking place in the recording industry between the decades, but I wish she had expanded on this topic more. I would recommend this short and easy read if you loved the music of this era and would like to know more about the story behind-the scenes.
Side Note: If this music and era are interesting to you, I highly recommend the documentary, "20 Feet From Stardom," about the unrecognized but essential back-up singers of this time period like Merry Clayton of "Gimme Shelter" fame. Great stuff!
Coolidge's relationships read like a rock star litany of the era: Leon Russell, Joe Cocker, Steven Stills, Graham Nash, and her eventual husband, Kris Kristofferson. However, as she asserts, she was no groupie but saw herself as an equal musician and partner, though she wasn't always treated as such in the misogynistic world of rock. She comes off as a caring, empathetic and strong woman who survived amidst the tumult of this drug-infused scene, which got increasingly nasty with the transition from pot & LSD to cocaine. Rita herself was never a big druggie, but she was not judgemental unless those around her acted out in violent or vulgar ways. She is also humble, stating that although she is not the best singer (compare her version of "Superstar" to Karen Carpenter's) she persisted and had the right type of voice & looks for the time. She's also not a deep thinker or writer, but I admire her lack of the thoughtlessness and narcissism that is found in many rock bios, as well as her strength, talent and loyalty. She briefly touches on the enormous changes taking place in the recording industry between the decades, but I wish she had expanded on this topic more. I would recommend this short and easy read if you loved the music of this era and would like to know more about the story behind-the scenes.
Side Note: If this music and era are interesting to you, I highly recommend the documentary, "20 Feet From Stardom," about the unrecognized but essential back-up singers of this time period like Merry Clayton of "Gimme Shelter" fame. Great stuff!
July 11, 2020
I really got a great look at the late 1960s-1970s rock music scene and how Rita was part of that. I had no idea about "Layla!" WOW!
I think she's a beautiful, talented, and a wonderful storyteller. Thank you, Rita, for a great autobiography. I really enjoyed learning about her Cherokee heritage.
I think she's a beautiful, talented, and a wonderful storyteller. Thank you, Rita, for a great autobiography. I really enjoyed learning about her Cherokee heritage.
March 23, 2023
I was a very big fan of hers and really enjoyed listening to her tell her story. She talks about a lot of singers that I grew up listening to and loved Kris Kristofferson. Great book, love the lady!
September 17, 2018
I noticed in YouTube that there are snippets of a movie of a tour by Joe Cocker - Mad Dogs & Englishmen, in 1970. https://youtu.be/n6splB7acXc is one of several.
The movie is apparently not readily available. The concert band to back Cocker was organized in great haste and included far more people than necessary - three drummers! And a "choir" of backing vocalists.
Rita Coolidge was one of the background vocalists. On an interview, Coolidge mentioned that she described this experience in more detail in her book, so I got a copy from the library.
I have found with these kinds of memoirs that the "this is my childhood and how I got to the point when you have heard of me" is often best left unread. I started in with her arrival in Los Angeles with Leon Russell. The remainder of the book reads quickly, assuming you are at least mildly interested in the various people she was involved with. She summarizes briefly most of the period after her marriage to Kris Kristofferson - which is fine.
Authors of memoirs like this have a significant challenge in how they depict people who are still alive and active. Coolidge is not inclined to go easy on people. Stephen Stills, for example, is apparently pretty shallow but Graham Nash was quite a good guy. Kristofferson - well, that's complicated.
I learned what I wanted to learn, anyway - the Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour was every bit as crazy as it looked in videos. And I got a little entertainment beyond that.
The movie is apparently not readily available. The concert band to back Cocker was organized in great haste and included far more people than necessary - three drummers! And a "choir" of backing vocalists.
Rita Coolidge was one of the background vocalists. On an interview, Coolidge mentioned that she described this experience in more detail in her book, so I got a copy from the library.
I have found with these kinds of memoirs that the "this is my childhood and how I got to the point when you have heard of me" is often best left unread. I started in with her arrival in Los Angeles with Leon Russell. The remainder of the book reads quickly, assuming you are at least mildly interested in the various people she was involved with. She summarizes briefly most of the period after her marriage to Kris Kristofferson - which is fine.
Authors of memoirs like this have a significant challenge in how they depict people who are still alive and active. Coolidge is not inclined to go easy on people. Stephen Stills, for example, is apparently pretty shallow but Graham Nash was quite a good guy. Kristofferson - well, that's complicated.
I learned what I wanted to learn, anyway - the Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour was every bit as crazy as it looked in videos. And I got a little entertainment beyond that.
May 18, 2016
As people in the 60's music scene start to write their memoirs I've been reading some of them. What a nice job Rita Coolidge and Michael Walker have done with this book. It is personnel but not over the top intimate and authentic but not vindictive. Coolidge takes the reader on a journey that begins with her parents in Nashville, her Cherokee heritage, growing up in the south in the 50's and 60's, the Memphis music scene, the family migration to California to start anew leading to her eventually being in that music scene and the serendipitous twist of events that moved her from backup singer to a writer, singer, performer, lover, mother, sister, wife who lived and survived the 60's and 70's. And came out the other side one cool human being. Others who know more about rock and roll history are probably not surprised but I sure was amazed as she provides behind the scenes descriptions and antidotes to songs, artists, music industry icons that touched her life and she theirs. The book has been written from the heart and tragically ends with a very sad event. It's recommended reading if you listened to music from the 60's and 70's.
August 6, 2017
Rita Coolidge's "Anytime, Anywhere" and "Love Me Again" were part of the soundtrack of my life in my early 20's. I had someone turn the albums into CDs before they were available as commercial releases. Those titles and works figure prominently in this interesting and compelling memoir.
Coolidge had a close family background and looked for that in her musical career. Sometimes she found family and sometimes she found a temporary musical tribe. She is honest about drugs, domestic violence, alcohol use, racism and sexism in the music business. Her recollection of writing part of what became Eric Clapton's "Layla" is telling and I don't think I remember that she wrote the always haunting "Superstar".
Her love for past loves shows her loyalty despite the pain of those relationships burning out. I'd love to meet her, I admire the person not just the music and musician. I wish she were touring somewhere near me so I could hear her in person.
About the time I started reading this, I listened to some recent Boz Scaggs, filling up on the Delta sound then and now.
Coolidge had a close family background and looked for that in her musical career. Sometimes she found family and sometimes she found a temporary musical tribe. She is honest about drugs, domestic violence, alcohol use, racism and sexism in the music business. Her recollection of writing part of what became Eric Clapton's "Layla" is telling and I don't think I remember that she wrote the always haunting "Superstar".
Her love for past loves shows her loyalty despite the pain of those relationships burning out. I'd love to meet her, I admire the person not just the music and musician. I wish she were touring somewhere near me so I could hear her in person.
About the time I started reading this, I listened to some recent Boz Scaggs, filling up on the Delta sound then and now.
August 24, 2016
I've never been a huge Rita Coolidge fan, but I love autobiographies so I thought I'd check it out.
As it turns out, it was a much better book than I thought. Her early life is pretty unremarkable, and the book ends not long after her marriage to Kris Kristofferson ended, except for the epilogue, where she tells of the death of her older sister. Priscilla Coolidge had been on the fringes of the music industry for years and was at one time married to Booker T Jones, but died in her early 70's at the hands of her current husband in a tragic murder/suicide. You could feel the emotion as Rita Coolidge talked about losing her sister.
But the best part of this book is the stories - I hadn't realized just how many people she'd sung backup for and collaborated with. Joe Cocker, George Harrison, Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, the list goes on. She talks about these legends and tells about the human side of them. Very good read.
As it turns out, it was a much better book than I thought. Her early life is pretty unremarkable, and the book ends not long after her marriage to Kris Kristofferson ended, except for the epilogue, where she tells of the death of her older sister. Priscilla Coolidge had been on the fringes of the music industry for years and was at one time married to Booker T Jones, but died in her early 70's at the hands of her current husband in a tragic murder/suicide. You could feel the emotion as Rita Coolidge talked about losing her sister.
But the best part of this book is the stories - I hadn't realized just how many people she'd sung backup for and collaborated with. Joe Cocker, George Harrison, Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, the list goes on. She talks about these legends and tells about the human side of them. Very good read.
March 11, 2018
I will always feel connected to Rita Coolidge. I was carrying a copy of her LP (remember LPs?) The Lady's Not For Sale (it has the most beautiful cover, which is also the cover of this book) across campus in 1973 and a guy stopped me to talk about it. Turns out we were both devoted fans of both Rita and Kris Kristofferson. We still are.
I loved Rita's story because she is such a warm, lovely person. Her involvement with the 1970s music scene and its most important players was fascinating; I learned a lot I didn't know. It was obvious how deeply hurt she was when her marriage failed, but she kept going and thrived. Her love for her family and friends shines out of the pages. It's rare for me to read acknowledgement pages, but in this book, each paragraph was a little story onto itself, and I read them all.
It turns out the lady really wasn't for sale. She's been true to herself the whole time.
I loved Rita's story because she is such a warm, lovely person. Her involvement with the 1970s music scene and its most important players was fascinating; I learned a lot I didn't know. It was obvious how deeply hurt she was when her marriage failed, but she kept going and thrived. Her love for her family and friends shines out of the pages. It's rare for me to read acknowledgement pages, but in this book, each paragraph was a little story onto itself, and I read them all.
It turns out the lady really wasn't for sale. She's been true to herself the whole time.
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