Chi Coltrane (born November 6, 1948) is an American rock/
gospel
Gospel originally meant the Christian message (" the gospel"), but in the 2nd century it came to be used also for the books in which the message was set out. In this sense a gospel can be defined as a loose-knit, episodic narrative of the words a ...
singer, songwriter and pianist.
She first came to notice in 1972 with the single "
Thunder and Lightning". Her 1973 song "
Go Like Elijah
"Go Like Elijah" is a 1973 song by Chi Coltrane. It was a number one hit in the Netherlands at the time. It stayed in the Dutch Top 40 for one month. In the Netherlands it was released with "It's Really Come to This" as its B-side.
The song can ...
" was a number one-hit in
The Netherlands
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, anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau")
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands
, established_title = Before independence
, established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
.
Career
Chi Coltrane began as a performer in Chicago. She made her overseas debut when she starred as guest star of the US at the International Rock Festival for 50,000 people in Rio de Janeiro. She returned to the U.S. where
Clive Davis signed her to CBS/Sony. Her first hit was in the U.S.: "Thunder and Lightning";
hitting #1 in NYC and various cities across the United States; and reaching #17 nationwide. Coltrane had two top 40 hits in Germany, hitting #1 in the Netherlands and holding that position for a month with the original "Go Like Elijah."
Coltrane made many guest appearances on American Network TV specials, including NBC's ''The Tonight Show''.
Coltrane appeared with
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...
,
The Eagles
The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971. With five number-one singles and six number-one albums, six Grammy Awards and five American Music Awards, the Eagles were one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s ...
,
Stevie Wonder, and
Rod Stewart. During the 1970s and 1980s in America, Chi was once dubbed "The First Lady of Rock"; and in Europe, she was once given the title "Queen of Rock"; where she was also voted "Top Female Artist" for two consecutive years, and held the #1 position in the "Music Express Popularity" poll. Chi's lifetime work has garnered many awards and accolades, both in America and abroad, including the European Gold Hammer and Silver Hammer for top Female artist. In 1999 Chi was honored in Los Angeles.
Coltrane was listed in the European "100 Best Musicians of the CENTURY" list. ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...
'' described Coltrane as a "rip-snorting female vocalist/composer/producer whose performances are nothing less than searing."
Paul Buckmaster, referring to her new song "Yesterday, Today & Forever" said; "I had to stop a few times while working on the string arrangement of 'Yesterday, Today & Forever' because of the profound emotions it stirred up in me - it is that great of a song. I think this may be the most beautiful song I have ever heard."
Discography
Studio albums
* ''Chi Coltrane'' (1972)
* ''Let It Ride'' (1973)
* ''Road to Tomorrow'' (1977)
* ''Silk & Steel'' (1981)
* ''
Ready to Roll
''Ready to Roll'' is the eighth album by Thelma Houston, released in 1978 on Motown Records. It was a modest success, peaking only at #74 in the US R&B charts. The single "Saturday Night, Sunday Morning" gained momentum in 1979 and was included in ...
'' (1983)
* ''
The Message'' (1986)
References
External links
Official Website*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Coltrane, Chi
20th-century American women singers
21st-century American women singers
American women rock singers
American gospel singers
American women pianists
Living people
20th-century American singers
21st-century American singers
1948 births