Fontella Bass, the St. Louis-born gospel and R&B singer famous for her 1965 hit “Rescue Me,” died Wednesday night. She was 72 and had suffered a heart attack on Dec. 2, her family said this morning. Ms. Bass was taught by her mother, gospel singer Martha Bass. Ms. Bass graduated from Soldan High School and started her professional career at 17 at the Showboat Club near Chain of Rocks, Mo. She got a contract with Chess Records and sang duets with Bobby McClure, including “Don't Mess Up a Good Thing.” She sang and co-wrote “Rescue Me,” which sold more than...