Robbie Montgomery

Robbie Montgomery, one of <a href="spotify:artist:0FAxkBiT0g3jKF2AaKEipb">Ike Turner</a>'s original Ikettes, started her musical journey as many singers do: as a child in her church's gospel choir. She moved on to R&B by the time she was 16 years old and working with a group known as <a href="spotify:artist:62GnBjssWSXBlKvQohT2Bk">the Chordettes</a>, which evolved into the Rhythmettes. With the help of a manager, the group recorded a pair of songs written by <a href="spotify:artist:1lz5YlOKtcXUybuzYPq0Mm">Montgomery</a> and released them through Yvette Records. The Rhythmettes didn't last long, however, and <a href="spotify:artist:1lz5YlOKtcXUybuzYPq0Mm">Montgomery</a> and her fellow singers became the Ardettes while working for Art Lassitter. Thanks to Lassitter, <a href="spotify:artist:1lz5YlOKtcXUybuzYPq0Mm">Montgomery</a> became acquainted with Turner, who featured her as a background singer on the single "A Fool for Love." Turner scored a hit with the single alongside <a href="spotify:artist:1zuJe6b1roixEKMOtyrEak">Tina Turner</a>, who was his wife at the time. That stint as a background vocalist led to <a href="spotify:artist:1lz5YlOKtcXUybuzYPq0Mm">Montgomery</a>'s job with <a href="spotify:artist:4vNCmeT4klWtM1xgF0oohu">the Ikettes</a>, where she remained for more than a half dozen years.

<a href="spotify:artist:1lz5YlOKtcXUybuzYPq0Mm">Montgomery</a> headed to Los Angeles when the Turners settled there in 1962. The area offered much work for the background singer and she became a member of the Nighttrippers, <a href="spotify:artist:320TrJub4arztwXRm7kqVO">Dr. John</a>'s backing singers. She appeared on three of <a href="spotify:artist:320TrJub4arztwXRm7kqVO">Dr. John</a>'s albums and sang background for such artists as <a href="spotify:artist:22bE4uQ6baNwSHPVcDxLCe">the Rolling Stones</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:57bUPid8xztkieZfS7OlEV">the Supremes</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7jmTilWYlKOuavFfmQAcu6">Barbra Streisand</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7guDJrEfX3qb6FEbdPA5qi">Stevie Wonder</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:35y7CZMg7jbG8Q96JY7dyC">Burt Bacharach</a>. She also sang live shows as backup for José Feliciano, <a href="spotify:artist:0k17h0D3J5VfsdmQ1iZtE9">Pink Floyd</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3rxIQc9kWT6Ueg4BhnOwRK">Quincy Jones</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:5xLSa7l4IV1gsQfhAMvl0U">B.B. King</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3koiLjNrgRTNbOwViDipeA">Marvin Gaye</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7GaxyUddsPok8BuhxN6OUW">James Brown</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0U2mUJuJkthantMGmsJygP">Jerry Butler</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0ty0xha1dbprYIUAQufkFn">Patti Labelle</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2y8Jo9CKhJvtfeKOsYzRdT">Rod Stewart</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3PhoLpVuITZKcymswpck5b">Elton John</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:48nwxUvPJZkm8uPa7xMzmj">Bobby Bland</a>, among others. In addition, she performed in Louisiana at New Orleans' Jazz & Heritage Festival and at Mardi Gras. <a href="spotify:artist:1lz5YlOKtcXUybuzYPq0Mm">Montgomery</a> settled down in the mid-'80s in St. Louis, where she leads a group of her own. She became one of the city's official Goodwill Musical Ambassadors, and the Missouri Historical Society honored her for her continued musical contributions. She owns a restaurant, Sweetie Pie's. ~ Linda Seida, Rovi