Merrilee Rush
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Merrilee Rush is probably best known as the singer of "Angel of the Morning", a top-10 charting song which earned her a Grammy nomination for Female Vocalist Of The Year.
Rush grew up in the north end of Seattle, Washington. As a child, she studied classical piano for 10 years.
In 1960, she auditioned for a band (directed by her first husband) that played sock hops. Next she was part of "Merrilee and Her Men", doing covers of male pop hits. Then she joined a Seattle rhythm and blues group called "Tiny Tony and the Statics".
"Merrilee and the Turnabouts" was formed in 1965. One of the group's roadies worked for Paul Revere and the Raiders, who were doing a tour in the South in 1967 and invited the band to be their opening act.
The band's rendition of "Angel in the Morning" was recorded in Memphis in early 1968. Released by Bell Records, it climbed to #7 in the US charts that year, and reportedly reached No. 1 in seven countries. The song garnered Rush a Grammy Nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year.
"Angel of the Morning" was written by Chip Taylor (born James Wesley Voight, younger brother of actor Jon Voight), who also wrote "Wild Thing" (a hit for The Troggs in 1966) and "I Can't Let Go", a hit for The Hollies in the UK. Angelina Jolie is Taylor's niece.
Merrilee now lives in the countryside near Seattle. She continues to perform with her own band and with Seattle Women in Rhythm & Blues.
In 1989 the Northwest Area Musicians' Association honored Rush with induction into the NAMA Hall of Fame.
In 2003 she appeared as herself in the made-for-TV movie "At the Drive-In" along with Jan Berry, Fabian and others.
