Damita Jo was a versatile entertainer. With a career spanning jazz, R&B, lounge music, comedy, and gospel, she became a respected performer in mid-20th century American entertainment. Though stardom narrowly eluded her, she left behind memorable recordings and a legacy of collaboration with some of the era’s most iconic musicians.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Damita Jo DeBlanc |
| Born | August 5, 1930 – Austin, Texas |
| Died | December 25, 1998 – Age 68 |
| Genres | Jazz, R&B, Lounge, Gospel, Adult Contemporary |
| Labels | Discovery, Mercury, Epic |
| Notable Hits | “I’ll Save the Last Dance for You,” “I’ll Be There,” “If You Go Away” |
| Chart Highlights | “I’ll Be There” – #12 Pop, #15 R&B |
| Known For | Answer songs to Ben E. King, lounge performances, gospel transition |
| Collaborators | Steve Gibson, Ray Charles, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton |
| Later Career | Comedienne, gospel artist |
Early Life
Damita Jo was born Damita Jo DeBlanc (sometimes spelled DuBlanc) on August 5, 1930, in Austin, Texas, to Herbert DeBlanc and Latrelle Plummer. When she was still a child, the family moved to Santa Barbara, California. This relocation set the stage for her early involvement in music and entertainment.
Starting Out in Los Angeles
View this post on Instagram
Her career took off in nearby Los Angeles, where she gained attention as a club performer. Local DJ Joe Adams helped her land a residency and later signed her to Discovery Records, where she released her debut single, “Until the Real Thing Comes Along” (1950). Unfortunately, Discovery soon folded.
Damita Jo then recorded briefly with Recorded in Hollywood, but again saw little commercial traction.
Joining the Red Caps and Early Exposure
In the early 1950s, she joined Steve Gibson and the Red Caps, a vocal jazz group popular on the Los Angeles scene. Damita Jo sang lead on several Red Caps recordings, including:
-
“I’m to Blame”
-
“I Went to Your Wedding” (1952)
Gibson later became her husband, but their professional and personal partnership ended in 1959 as the group’s success waned.
Chart Breakthrough at Mercury Records
Thanks to producer Shelby Singleton, Damita Jo signed with Mercury Records in the early 1960s. Her first release for the label, “It Takes a Little Loneliness,” failed to chart. But the next single, “I’ll Save the Last Dance for You,” made a splash.
Released in 1960, it was an “answer song” to the Drifters’ hit “Save the Last Dance for Me”. Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, it reached:
-
#22 on the Billboard Hot 100
-
#16 on the R&B chart
This clever twist on a popular tune introduced Damita Jo to a wider audience.
Biggest Hit: “I’ll Be There”
In 1961, Damita Jo followed up with another answer record, “I’ll Be There,” a response to Ben E. King’s smash “Stand by Me.” This time, King himself contributed to the songwriting, along with Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, and Ollie Jones.
“I’ll Be There” became Damita Jo’s biggest hit:
-
#12 on the Billboard Hot 100
-
#15 on the R&B chart
The success briefly elevated her profile, but she struggled to maintain commercial momentum in the U.S.
International Appeal and Later Mercury Releases
Though her U.S. chart success was limited, Damita Jo’s recordings found international appreciation. She gained followings in Sweden, Norway, Puerto Rico, and Japan. Still, her later Mercury singles underperformed, and the label eventually dropped her.
Move to Epic Records and Lounge Circuit
In 1965, Damita Jo signed with Epic Records. Her most notable release there was “If You Go Away” (a cover of Jacques Brel’s classic), which reached:
-
#68 on the Billboard Hot 100
-
#10 on the Adult Contemporary chart
She scored two more easy listening hits in 1967:
-
“Walk Away”
-
“Yellow Days”
These songs showed her appeal among adult contemporary audiences, even as pop stardom continued to elude her.
Comedy, Collaborations, and Gospel Turn
As her chart presence faded, Damita Jo focused on live performances. She became a fixture in the lounge and supper club circuit, where she blended music and humor into a signature act.
She toured with comedian Redd Foxx, adding comedy to her repertoire. She also collaborated with major jazz and R&B names such as:
-
Ray Charles
-
Count Basie
-
Billy Eckstine
-
Lionel Hampton
-
The Bobby Tucker Orchestra
In her later years, she devoted herself to gospel music, a spiritual homecoming that aligned with her personal journey.
Final Years and Death
View this post on Instagram
Damita Jo suffered from respiratory illness for many years. On December 25, 1998, she passed away at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy that deserves wider recognition.
Though she never became a household name, her voice, elegance, and resilience continue to resonate with music historians and fans of early R&B and lounge vocalists.
Legacy
Damita Jo remains a somewhat obscure figure in American music history, but her influence is undeniable. Her clever “answer songs” gave women a voice in the male-dominated pop world of the 1960s. Her work across jazz, pop, and gospel showcased her wide-ranging talent and ability to adapt.
For fans of vintage music, Damita Jo represents a unique bridge between the big band era and the golden age of soul.