Rita Coolidge is more than a Grammy-winning singer—she’s a musical chameleon whose career spans pop, country, folk, jazz, and soul. With a voice both smooth and emotionally rich, she carved out her space among the most respected vocalists of the 1970s and ’80s. Known for hits like “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher” and “We’re All Alone,” Coolidge brought elegance and heartfelt delivery to every genre she touched.
Her collaborations with artists like Kris Kristofferson, Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, and Joe Cocker helped define a generation. And beyond commercial success, she embraced her Cherokee heritage through the creation of Walela, a Native American trio blending tradition and modern harmony.
| Full Name | Rita Faye Coolidge |
|---|---|
| Birthdate | May 1, 1945 |
| Birthplace | Lafayette, Tennessee, USA |
| Genres | Pop, Country, Folk, R&B, Jazz, Adult Contemporary |
| Years Active | 1970s–present |
| Labels | A&M Records, Concord, Attic, Delta Lady |
| Major Solo Hits | “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher,” “We’re All Alone,” “All Time High” |
| Grammy Awards | 2 (with Kris Kristofferson) |
| Collaborations | Kris Kristofferson, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Leon Russell, Stephen Stills |
| Heritage | Cherokee and Scottish descent |
| Native American Group | Walela (with Priscilla Coolidge and Laura Satterfield) |
| Memoir | Delta Lady: A Memoir (2016) |
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Rita Faye Coolidge was born on May 1, 1945, in Lafayette, Tennessee, and raised in Tallahassee, Florida. Her father was a minister, and her mother worked as a schoolteacher. Rita grew up singing in church, where she developed a passion for performance early on. She is of Cherokee and Scottish descent and often cites her Native American identity as a core part of her story.
After graduating from Florida State University with a degree in art, Coolidge moved to Memphis and began singing commercial jingles—sometimes alongside her sister, Priscilla Coolidge. Her unique voice quickly gained attention, leading to session work for well-known artists and bands.
From Background Singer to Industry Favorite
Coolidge’s voice found a home among the top artists of the late 1960s and early ’70s. She sang backing vocals for:
-
Delaney & Bonnie and Friends
-
Joe Cocker – including the famed Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour
-
Eric Clapton
-
Stephen Stills
-
Leon Russell
-
Dave Mason
-
Bob Dylan
-
Jimi Hendrix
Her ability to blend her vocals seamlessly into any genre made her a go-to singer for many stars of the time.
Love, Music, and Grammy Wins with Kris Kristofferson
Coolidge met singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson in 1970. Their chemistry blossomed into both a romantic and musical partnership. The two married and recorded several albums together, starting with Full Moon (1973), which hit #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. It featured the Grammy-winning duet “From the Bottle to the Bottom.”
Another Grammy followed for “Lover Please” in 1975. The pair became one of country music’s power couples, often appearing together on television and in magazines. Despite their professional success, the marriage began to strain and ended in divorce in 1979. They had one daughter, Casey Kristofferson.
Solo Success with Anytime… Anywhere
Coolidge’s solo career began on A&M Records in the early 1970s. Her first few albums—Rita Coolidge (1971), Nice Feelin’ (1971), and The Lady’s Not for Sale (1972)—earned praise but limited commercial success.
Her breakthrough came with her sixth studio album, Anytime… Anywhere, released in 1977. The album reached:
-
#6 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart
-
#23 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart
It spawned several hit singles:
-
“(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher” – #2 Pop, #5 Adult Contemporary
-
“We’re All Alone” – #7 Pop, #1 Adult Contemporary
Her cover of Jackie Wilson’s “Higher and Higher” became her biggest hit and signature song, earning her a new generation of fans.
Continued Hits and Chart Success
Following the success of Anytime… Anywhere, Coolidge released several more hit albums and singles. She dominated the adult contemporary charts with:
-
“The Way You Do the Things You Do” (1980)
-
“I’d Rather Leave While I’m in Love” (1979)
-
“All Time High” – the theme for the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy, and her second #1 AC hit
-
“Love Me Again”, “You”, and “One Fine Day”
Her 1978 album Love Me Again and 1979’s Satisfied were both commercial successes.
Coolidge’s ability to balance pop elegance with emotional depth made her a favorite among adult listeners throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Shift Toward Personal Projects and Heritage
In the late 1980s, Coolidge began stepping back from mainstream pop. She devoted time to social activism, particularly supporting Native American causes.
In 1997, she co-founded Walela, a trio that also included her sister Priscilla and niece Laura Satterfield. The group blended traditional Cherokee themes with modern harmonies and instrumentation. Walela released:
-
Walela (1997)
-
Unbearable Love (2000)
-
The Best of Walela (2007)
-
A live performance DVD
The group earned critical acclaim and brought Coolidge recognition in Native American music circles.
Later Career and Memoir
Coolidge continued to record and perform in the 2000s. She released:
-
And So Is Love (2005) – a return to jazz standards
-
Safe in the Arms of Time (2018) – her first album of new material in over a decade
In 2016, she published her memoir “Delta Lady: A Memoir,” which detailed her experiences in the music industry, her marriage to Kristofferson, and her deep ties to her Cherokee roots.
Despite personal losses—including the tragic death of her sister Priscilla—Coolidge has remained active, advocating for indigenous rights and still performing at select events.
Legacy and Influence
Rita Coolidge’s career spans more than five decades. Her music brought a soulful, graceful presence to pop and country, and her vocal contributions to other artists helped define a generation of rock and roots music.
With Grammy wins, chart-topping singles, and lasting cultural influence, she remains a respected figure in the world of music.