Ella Fitzgerald is one of the most iconic and celebrated jazz vocalists of all time, but she was known to dabble in rock ‘n’ roll every now and then, too. As rock music became increasingly popular in the 1960s, the First Lady of Song occasionally branched out into genres outside of her familiar world of jazz and swing, including cuts from rock legends like Cream and the Beatles in her live performances.
Videos by American Songwriter
In a testament to her stunning vocal ability, Fitzgerald made each rock track entirely her own. Using her wide color palette that ranged from a crystal clear soprano to a brassy, horn-like alto, Fitzgerald breathed new life into rock hits that, at the time, were fairly new themselves. Indeed, even rock purists would be able to find something to love about Lady Ella’s take on the rough and rowdy genre.
Take a listen for yourself.
“Sunshine Of Your Love”
Ella Fitzgerald might have built her career singing jazz and bebop standards, but she was by no means restricted to these genres. Her 1969 live album, Sunshine of Your Love, showed off her rock ‘n’ roll chops as she performed at the Venetian Room at the Fairmont in San Francisco. Fitzgerald delivered a blistering rendition of Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love,” which the British rock band had released two years prior. Horns take over the song’s distinctive guitar riff, while Fitzgerald oscillates between Jack Bruce-like crooning to passionate, gritty belting and scatting.
“Hey Jude”
Ella Fitzgerald opens her 1969 live album with a Motown-esque version of the Beatles’ “Hey Jude,” a rock ballad the Fab Four had released the previous year. Paul McCartney’s lyrics, which he wrote for then-bandmate John Lennon’s eldest son, Julian Lennon, cut through the band’s mix perfectly thanks to Fitzgerald’s expert diction and resonance. The overall swing of Fitzgerald’s version gives the song a more lighthearted, playful feel compared to McCartney’s sentimental introduction. The horn section takes over the track’s classic nah, nah, nah, nah-nah-nah nah section while Fitzgerald scats through the outro.
“Can’t Buy Me Love”
Ella Fitzgerald released another cover of a Beatles pop-rock classic, “Can’t Buy Me Love,” five years prior to her live album at the Venetian Room. The Fab Four were still on their fast ascent to being one of the hottest bands of the time, and Fitzgerald’s swinging version of their driving rock tune helped establish a new audience for the Beatles. In an interesting twist of fate, the veteran performer would deliver her jazzy rendition of this Beatles classic on the Ed Sullivan Show just two months after the Liverpudlian band made their American television debut on the very same program.
Photo by ITV/Shutterstock
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.