ella washington

Biography

Ella Washington, born on October 25, 1943, in Miami, Florida, began her music career in 1965 with local label Octavia, releasing 'The Grass Always Seems Greener,' which was leased to Atlantic Records but failed to chart commercially[1][2]. In 1967, she signed with Nashville's Sound Stage 7 label, where several singles were produced by radio disc jockey John Richbourg and recorded at the renowned Muscle Shoals studios in Alabama, showcasing her raw, intense Southern soul style rooted in R&B and gospel influences[1][2][4]. Her breakthrough came with the 1969 single 'He Called Me Baby,' a soulful reworking of Harlan Howard's country tune previously recorded by artists like Bobby Bare and Patsy Cline, peaking at #77 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #38 on the R&B chart; she released a self-titled LP that year and continued issuing singles like 'Stop Giving Your Man Away' and 'Trying To Make You Love Me' until 1972[1][2].

In 1973, Washington transitioned from secular music to gospel, performing hymns such as 'Amazing Grace' and 'Because He Lives' at Richbourg's 1986 funeral[1][2]. By 2009, as Ella Washington Cobbs, she had become pastor at Theos Ministries church in Opa-locka, Miami-Dade County, Florida, marking a profound shift toward spiritual leadership while leaving a legacy as an underappreciated Southern soul powerhouse[1][2][5]. Compilations like 'Nobody But Me' (Charly Records, 1987) and 'He Called Me Baby' (Soulscape, 2009) have preserved her recordings for later audiences[1][2].

Fun Facts

• Her only major hit 'He Called Me Baby' was a soul adaptation of a 1962 country song by Harlan Howard, previously covered by Patsy Cline and Bobby Bare[1][2].
• She performed 'Amazing Grace' and 'Because He Lives' at producer John Richbourg's funeral in 1986, bridging her soul and gospel eras[1][2].
• Despite her raw Southern soul style praised by critics, she had just one chart hit and transitioned to full-time ministry by the 1970s[1][4].
• Compilations of her work were released decades later, introducing her to northern soul enthusiasts[1][2].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• John Richbourg - Radio disc jockey who produced several of her Sound Stage 7 records (He Called Me Baby, other singles recorded in Muscle Shoals) [1967-1972]

Key Collaborators

• John Richbourg - Producer for Sound Stage 7 label (Multiple singles including He Called Me Baby) [1967-1972]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia