Ep 1. Vesta Williams

Vesta Williams was a soulful singer with a powerful voice and captivating stage presence. In the first episode of season 5 of UnSung, her life and career are explored in depth.

The episode begins with Vesta's early years in Ohio, where she was raised in a musical family. Her mother was a singer, and Vesta and her siblings grew up surrounded by music. Vesta's talent was evident from a young age, and she began performing locally as a teenager.

After moving to California in the 1980s, Vesta landed a gig as a backup singer for Chaka Khan. This led to a record deal with A&M Records, and her first album, "Vesta 4 U," was released in 1988. The album featured the hit single "Congratulations," which earned Vesta a Soul Train Award nomination.

Despite her success, Vesta struggled with personal demons, including a long-standing addiction to drugs and alcohol. She also faced challenges in the music industry, where she was often pigeonholed as a "black balladeer" and struggled to break through to mainstream audiences.

Throughout the episode, Vesta's friends, family, and musical collaborators share their memories of the singer, describing her as funny, kind, and fiercely talented. They also discuss the challenges she faced in her personal life and career, including her struggle with addiction and her battles with record labels over creative control.

Despite these challenges, Vesta remained dedicated to her music and her fans, and continued to record and perform until her untimely death in 2011. Her legacy lives on through her music, which continues to inspire and move listeners around the world.

Overall, the UnSung episode on Vesta Williams is a moving tribute to a truly talented and unforgettable artist. Through rare photos, archival footage, and heartfelt interviews, viewers get a glimpse into the life and career of a woman who left an indelible mark on the music industry.