Merrilee Rush, born Merrilee Gunst on January 26, 1944, in Seattle, Washington, is an American singer who began her musical journey studying classical piano from a young age. She became the lead singer for the Amazing Aztecs, a local rock and roll band led by Neil Rush, whom she married. In 1965, they formed Merrilee Rush and the Turnabouts, gaining popularity on the Pacific Northwest's teen dancehall circuit. A significant breakthrough came in 1968 when Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere & the Raiders introduced her to producer Chips Moman. Her recording of "Angel of the Morning" at American Sound Studio in Memphis reached number 7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in Canada, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Pop Female Vocalist. The song was featured in films such as Jerry Maguire and Fingers. Rush released several more singles and albums under various labels, including Bell Records, AGP Records, Scepter Records, and United Artists Records. She continued performing in rock and roll nostalgia shows across the country into the 21st century. In September 2023, she was inducted into the California Music Hall of Fame and received The Carol Kaye Inspiration Award.
