WaPo: Rhythm-and-Blues Singer Ruth Brown Dies

[Penndems]

By Adam Bernstein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 17, 2006; 6:44 PM

Ruth Brown, 78, a rhythm-and-blues singer whose hits in the 1950s made Atlantic Records "the house that Ruth built" and who revived her career decades later as the Tony Award-winning star of the musical revue "Black and Blue," died Nov. 17 at St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Henderson, Nev., after a stroke and heart attack.

Ms. Brown, who lived in the Las Vegas suburb, became known as a persistent and vital activist in the royalty reform movement of the 1980s. Her efforts brought aging, often ailing musicians payments that major music companies had long denied them.

With an aching, gospel-tinged attack to a lyric, Ms. Brown was among the top black pop singers of the early 1950s. Many of her recordings topped the R&B music charts, including the rollicking "(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean" and the ballad "So Long." Her other popular recordings were "Teardrops From My Eyes," "Lucky Lips," "5-10-15 Hours (Of Your Love)," "Mambo Baby" and "Oh What a Dream."

Her admirers spanned several generations. Little Richard once said he borrowed his trademark whoop ("Lucille- uh") from her. Bonnie Raitt, with whom Ms. Brown played in recent years, also cited her as a musical influence.

Link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/17/AR2006111701411.html




Singer Ruth Brown gets ready for a show in New York City.
(Credited to The Washington Post)
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One of the all-time greats of rhythm and blues.

RIP, Ms. Brown.

[evlbstrd]

1. Aww, man.

People like her deserve statues.

[Penndems]

2. She sure does

That lady did it all. She was one of the pioneers of rock and roll.

She will be missed.

[evlbstrd]

3. I think I'll make one.

It would small and made of wax or clay, until someone agrees to pay for a full-sized bronze.

[xchrom]

4. oh. no. -- ms. brown you really are gone too soon.

god speed you ms. brown -- there are too few like you and you will be missed.

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. Aw, man

I saw her once at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Gawd, she had the mojo. :(