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But after years spent toiling to break into the music industry, Jones faced a different challenge in 2013.
That year, the singer was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and underwent extensive treatment.
Credit: Scott Legato/Getty Images
Im sitting here on the bed now, she said.
I went to walk up the steps, and my legs felt like lead.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How are you feeling these days?SHARON JONES:Im feeling alright.
I wouldve been leaving the next day, and I couldnt deal with that.
I dont know what effects its going to have on me.
I know the chemo makes me tired, and radiation is going to make me even tired-er.
It hurt me to [cancel the shows], but I had to.
But Ill be alright.
Theyll see me again soon.
Its all about the willpower.
How have people been reacting to the documentary?Nothing but great reviews.
To get to see it in Augusta thats like coming home.
The film has some moving details about your experience growing up there in segregation.
I was [in Augusta] and I couldnt even sell out the Imperial Theatre.
Its a little heartbreaking, but he still loved his home and he still did what did.
And the same with me: Whether they come out or not I still love my home.
But to hear the hoopla and the build up about [the documentary]?
Yeah, Im excited.
The thing I like about home, when they see you, they just speak to you.
They see me and they speak and they keep going.
She has a passion for getting into it and getting stuff out of people.
Once I accepted and said they could do it, you forget theyre there sometimes.
I didnt want it to be one of those reality shows.
If they wouldve caught me in the morning like, Yawn!
thats a reality show, to me.
You dont need any of that.
Whatever I asked them not to have on film, they did not have on film.
Barbara did a great, great job.
Were going to be friends forever.
Even after we finish all this, were still going to be talking to each other.
In the documentary your sense of humor really comes through.
Some people told me a long time ago, You know, you shouldve been a comedian.
Ive always been funny and I love doing that.
Humor, laughter, it eases the pain.
Theyll see I can sing and it has nothing to do with the way I look.
I never got away from music.
I had to always be a fighter.
Its always been like that.
Im a fighter, and I keep my faith and my belief.
No matter what you do, you look on YouTube and its there!
Looking toward the future, I wanna do a gospel album.
In my head, I want to do the gospel songs Ive done with my choir.
I can hear the Dap-Kings behind me I could make up some horn lines!
This is how Im battling cancer and beating this sickness: Just keep working.
I dont wanna sit home and wait for the cancer to take over my body.
Ive gotta keep fighting, taking it one day at a time.
