Linda Jones was an American soul singer who had a strong gospel-influenced style and a powerful voice that earned her the nickname “the Queen of Soul”. She had several hit singles in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including “Hypnotized”, “What’ve I Done (To Make You Mad)” and “For Your Precious Love”. However, her life and career were cut short by a tragic death at the age of 27. What was the cause of her death and how did it happen? Here is what we know.
Diabetes: A Silent Killer
According to her daughter, Terry Jones, Linda Jones had been a diabetic for most of her life and had to take insulin injections daily. Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body processes glucose, a type of sugar that is the main source of energy for the cells. If left untreated or poorly managed, diabetes can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, blindness and amputation. Diabetes can also cause a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which occurs when the body produces high levels of ketones, acidic substances that result from the breakdown of fat for energy. DKA can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, coma and death.
The Final Performance
On March 14, 1972, Linda Jones was scheduled to perform two shows at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. She had just finished a national tour supporting her album Your Precious Love, which featured a revamped version of the Jerry Butler and The Impressions hit song of the same name. The album was well received by critics and fans alike, and Jones was enjoying a resurgence in her career. She was also happy in her personal life, having married her childhood sweetheart, Kenneth Ruffin, in 1971.
According to Wikipedia, Jones performed the matinee show at the Apollo Theater with no apparent problems. However, after returning home to her mother’s house in Newark, New Jersey, she decided to take a nap before going back for the evening show. Her mother, entering the room to wake her up, found Jones in a diabetic coma. She was rushed to the hospital but died there later that day. She was only 27 years old.
A Legacy of Soul
Linda Jones left behind a legacy of soulful music that influenced many singers who came after her, such as Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys. Her daughter Terry Jones followed in her footsteps and became a singer as well. In 2008, she produced an album called Soul Talkin featuring her mother’s vocals. One of the tracks, “Baby I Know”, was nominated for a Grammy Award at the 51st Awards Ceremony in 2008.
Linda Jones was one of the greatest soul singers of all time, but she also suffered from a chronic disease that ultimately claimed her life. Her story is a reminder of the importance of taking care of one’s health and seeking medical attention when needed. As she sang in one of her songs, “Your precious love means more to me than any love could ever be”.
