Sharon Jones Gets Her Groove Back: Behind-the-Scenes Photos
Twenty-thirteen was a terrible year for Sharon Jones. The 57-year-old soul singer was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just after finishing up her new album, Give the People What They Want. She postponed the LP's release, canceled all her tour dates with the Dap-Kings and underwent grueling treatment. Now the cancer is gone, the album arrived in January and Jones is back on the road, performing a string of shows in American theaters. She let Rolling Stone tag along for a behind-the-scenes look at her gig at New York's Beacon Theatre.
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Gabriel Roth, band leader of the Dap-Kings and co-founder of Daptone Records, runs the band through song arrangements while Sharon gets her vocals tuned in.
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Jones in the backstage elevator, where signatures of past performers cover the walls.
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In the quiet of her hotel room, Jones picks the dress she will wear onstage. Only two weeks ago, Sharon received biopsy results that showed she was cancer-free, although she had a second scare when scar tissue showed up in a scan. With the blessing of her oncologist, she is now beginning a seven-month tour.
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On a stressful, emotional and exciting day, Jones tries to find her inner peace before the show.
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Jones' regular dressing room ritual: Sharon shares a prayer of hope and gratitude with her backup singers and close companions, Starr Duncan and Saundra Williams. "Even though we've done this a thousand times," says Saundra, "it feels new again."
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The Dap-Kings run through some final notes before curtains-up.
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The Dap-Kings: all hands in. The band members say they had a tough time when Jones' album and tour were delayed. "People think that because you are in a well known band that you're doing alright," says Binky Griptite. "I wasn't homeless, but I had to sleep on friend's couches towards the end."
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While the band plays the opening numbers, Jones collects herself in a private moment. "I have to find myself," she says. Chemotherapy and being away from the physicality of performing has had an impact on Sharon's usual boundless energy. She hadn't done her live show in 11 months.
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Like a prizefighter before the match, Jones draws all her strength inward moments before her entrance.
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Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings in action.
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Sharon continued through the set without slowing down once.
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The crowd at the Beacon rises to its feet as Sharon waves goodbye at the end of the set. While resting momentarily before the encore, Jones beamed and exclaimed, "I want to dance!" and finished the show with a high-energy medley.
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With gas to spare after the encore, Sharon bounds off the stage for her final exit, relieved and ecstatic.