http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/sharon-jones-soul-singer-with-dap-kings-dead-at-60-w451517
Sharon Jones, the fiery soul singer who spent decades in obscurity before becoming a Grammy-nominated soul and funk vocalist with her longtime backing band the Dap-Kings, died on Friday of pancreatic cancer. She was 60.
Sharon Jones Fights On: 'I Have Cancer; Cancer Don't Have Me'
Soul and funk veteran describes recent medical struggles and why she agreed to the brutally candid new documentary, 'Miss Sharon Jones!'
"We are deeply saddened to announce that Sharon Jones has passed away after a heroic battle against pancreatic cancer," the singer's rep wrote in a statement. "She was surrounded by her loved ones, including the Dap-Kings."
Jones was diagnosed with stage two pancreatic cancer in 2013 but later went into remission nine months later. The cancer returned in 2015, with tumors spreading to her lung, liver and lymph nodes.
Jones started numerous funk groups in the 1970, earning extra money by performing in wedding bands and singing gospel music. But for decades, she had trouble breaking in to the industry. After retreating from music for a few years, Jones became a back-up singer for New York funk and soul label Desco Records in 1996 and would release her debut album Dap Dippin' with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, in 2002.
The group continued to record and tour constantly, watching their crowds grow as Jones' roaring voice, frenetic energy and gregarious personality surpassed the initial "female James Brown" comparisons.
Jones, alongside the Dap-Kings, released seven albums, most recently 2015's It's a Holiday Soul Party.
This story is developing.
Sharon Jones, the fiery soul singer who spent decades in obscurity before becoming a Grammy-nominated soul and funk vocalist with her longtime backing band the Dap-Kings, died on Friday of pancreatic cancer. She was 60.
Sharon Jones Fights On: 'I Have Cancer; Cancer Don't Have Me'
Soul and funk veteran describes recent medical struggles and why she agreed to the brutally candid new documentary, 'Miss Sharon Jones!'
"We are deeply saddened to announce that Sharon Jones has passed away after a heroic battle against pancreatic cancer," the singer's rep wrote in a statement. "She was surrounded by her loved ones, including the Dap-Kings."
Jones was diagnosed with stage two pancreatic cancer in 2013 but later went into remission nine months later. The cancer returned in 2015, with tumors spreading to her lung, liver and lymph nodes.
Jones started numerous funk groups in the 1970, earning extra money by performing in wedding bands and singing gospel music. But for decades, she had trouble breaking in to the industry. After retreating from music for a few years, Jones became a back-up singer for New York funk and soul label Desco Records in 1996 and would release her debut album Dap Dippin' with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, in 2002.
The group continued to record and tour constantly, watching their crowds grow as Jones' roaring voice, frenetic energy and gregarious personality surpassed the initial "female James Brown" comparisons.
Jones, alongside the Dap-Kings, released seven albums, most recently 2015's It's a Holiday Soul Party.
This story is developing.
One of my favorite singers
