Arts & Culture

Fontella Bass, a St. Louis-born soul singer who hit the top of the R&B charts with "Rescue Me" in 1965, has died.

The singer's daughter, Neuka Mitchell, says Bass died at a St. Louis hospice Wednesday night of complications from a heart attack suffered three weeks ago. She was 72. Bass had also suffered several strokes since 2005.

The holiday season abounds with well-known Christmas stories and cherished family traditions.

In this St. Louis Public Radio holiday special, we asked our listeners and some members of our staff to share with us their favorite holiday memories, stories and gifts.

We included those stories and well-known stories such as a staff-reading of “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” “Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,” and part of “A Christmas Carol.”

We also featured music by the Ambassadors of Harmony of St. Charles and Bach Society of Saint Louis.