Last updated on: January 20, 2025

Priscilla Coolidge was an American singer and songwriter who gained recognition in the music industry. She is best known for her marriage to Booker T. Jones, a renowned musician. Her life was full of music and challenges. Here is an overview of Priscilla Coolidge’s life and legacy.

Quick Facts About Priscilla Coolidge

Early Life and Family

Priscilla Coolidge was born June 29, 1941, in Lafayette, Tennessee. She came from a family well grounded in music. Her father was a Baptist minister, and she also had Cherokee blood. She had a sister named Rita Coolidge, who later became a prominent singer. Both sisters shared an interest in music and would sometimes work together.

Priscilla’s early life was influenced by her family’s spiritual values and the culture surrounding her. These factors later found a place in her music.

Priscilla’s Music Career

Priscilla Coolidge started her music career in the late 1960s. She loved singing and writing songs. Her first limelight was when she married Booker T. Jones in 1969. Booker T. was already a famous musician and the leader of the band Booker T. & the MG’s.

They produced some fantastic music together. Priscilla’s first solo album was in 1970, “Gypsy Queen,” which Booker T. produced. The album proved Priscilla to be a talented artist and the musical relationship between the two to be strong. They also did the albums “Booker T. & Priscilla” in 1971, “Home Grown” in 1972, and “Chronicles” in 1973. Although they were good, they didn’t become as popular as some of Booker T. Jones’s earlier work.

Their music was a fusion of rock and soul, making it sound very different. Still, the music that the two of them created together did not compare to the success Booker T. Jones had with his other projects.

Personal Life and Marriage to Booker T. Jones

Priscilla and Booker T. Jones were married for 10 years, from 1969 until 1979. They used this time to build their careers in music. However, the personal relationship they had eventually led to a divorce.

Priscilla later married Ed Bradley, a journalist with CBS News, in 1981. She stayed married to him until 1984. Priscilla had a daughter named Laura Satterfield, who later joined her and Rita in a music group called Walela. Walela was a Native American-inspired trio that blended beautiful harmonies and traditional music.

The Tragic End

Sadly, Priscilla Coolidge died in a tragic and sudden way. On October 2, 2014, she was found dead in her home in Thousand Oaks, California. Her husband, Michael Seibert, shot her before taking his own life in a murder-suicide.

This was a shock to many in the music world and her family. Her sister, Rita Coolidge, shared publicly her sorrow, asking for privacy as the family dealt with the heartbreaking loss. It brought to the fore how some struggles are kept behind closed doors, even by those who appear to have it all.

READ ALSO: Booker T Jones Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Facts & More

Legacy and Influence

Even though Priscilla Coolidge may not be remembered alongside Rita and ex-husband Booker T. Jones as those are such renowned stars, still Priscilla did some impressive music with the other guy; there was success when it was solo for Priscilla also.

Although Priscilla’s contribution might not have reached the highest heights such as the other musicians, her relevance was portrayed in her different styles, and her talent will forever be remembered because of the unique touch she gave to every song. To her family, particularly her sister, Rita, her memory will live on as a talented artist and a loving family member.

Priscilla’s tragic death did not define her life. She will always be remembered for her music and the lasting impact she had on the industry.

Source: celebs.infoseemedia.com