Carol Fran was a Louisiana blues singer and pianist known for singles including “Emmitt Lee” and “The Great Pretender.”
- Died: September 1, 2021 (Who else died on September 1?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 87.
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Music career
Fran began performing and recording in Louisiana in the 1950s, debuting with the single “Emmitt Lee.” Mixing her blues music with soul and swamp pop, she became a popular Bourbon Street musician, as well as touring abroad. Her later singles included “You Can’t Stop Me” and “Any Day Love Walks In.” She sang with notable artists including Aretha Franklin (1942–2018), Guitar Shorty, and Lee Dorsey (1924–1986). Fran also recorded frequently with her husband, Clarence Hollimon.
Fran on writing her debut single
“Well, actually, Emmitt Lee was a real person. He was a salesman from McGregor Men’s Fashion. And he came over to my hometown. He was such a nice person; he was a good dresser. But anyway, I met him, and he went away, and he promised to call me. And so, four weeks went by, and I didn’t hear from him. I got the blues one day, sat at the piano, and that’s what I came up with.” —from a 2018 interview for WWNO
Tributes to Carol Fran
Full obituary: KLFY.com
