Peggy Scott-Adams was a soul, blues and R&B singer who had a remarkable career spanning over five decades. She was known for her powerful voice and her hit songs such as “Bill”, “Soulshake” and “Spousal Abuse”. She died on March 27, 2023, at the age of 74, in her native Pensacola, Florida. But what was the cause of her death? Here are some facts and details about her life and demise.
Early Life and Career
Peggy Scott-Adams was born as Peggy Stoutmeyer on June 25, 1948, in Opp, Alabama, but grew up in Pensacola, Florida. She started singing at a young age and toured with Ben E. King as a teenager. She was discovered by producer Huey Meaux, who paired her with Jo Jo Benson, another soul singer. Together, they recorded several duets for SSS International Records, such as “Lover’s Holiday”, “Pickin’ Wild Mountain Berries” and “Soulshake”. They had three Top 40 hits in the late 1960s and were billed as “The Little Lady with the Big Voice” and “The Big Man with the Big Voice”. However, their partnership ended in the early 1970s and Scott-Adams left the music industry for a while.
Solo Comeback and Success
In the late 1980s, Scott-Adams moved to California and married Robert L. Adams Sr., who encouraged her to resume her singing career. She met singer-songwriter and producer Jimmy Lewis, who helped her record her solo debut album, Help Yourself, in 1996. The album featured a controversial song called “Bill”, which was about a woman who discovered that her husband was gay. The song became a surprise hit on both blues and urban radio stations and reached number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The music video also gained popularity and sparked debates among viewers. The album sold well and peaked at number 72 on the Billboard 200 chart, number 9 on the R&B chart and number 1 on the Top Blues Albums chart.
Scott-Adams followed up with more albums that blended soul, blues and R&B styles, such as Contagious (1997), Undisputed Queen (1999), Live in Alabama & More (2000), Hot and Sassy (2001) and Busting Loose (2003). She also tackled social issues such as domestic abuse, infidelity and divorce in her songs. She had a loyal fan base and received several awards and nominations for her work. In 2006, she released her first gospel album, God Can, And He Will, which showed her faith and spirituality. Her second gospel album, Back To The Roots, came out in 2009 on her own independent label, Nora Records.
Later Life and Death
Scott-Adams continued to perform live until her health declined in the late 2010s. She suffered from diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney problems. She also lost her husband in 2005 and her son in 2018. She spent her last years in Pensacola, where she died on March 27, 2023, from natural causes. She was survived by her daughter, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was also mourned by her fans, friends and fellow musicians who paid tribute to her legacy.
According to SoulTracks , Scott-Adams was “a star who had not one, but two enviable music careers”. She was one of the most influential female singers in the soul, blues and R&B genres. She left behind a rich catalog of songs that touched many hearts and souls. She will be remembered as “The Little Lady with the Big Voice” who sang with passion and honesty.
