Barbara Blue hails originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but she first began performing in 1997 at Silky O’Sullivan’s on Beale Street in Memphis. Continuing to perform there five nights a week
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Bonnie Raitt
Singer, songwriter, activist and guitarist Bonnie Raitt was born into a musical family, and was given her first guitar at the age of eight, Raitt, kick-starting her musical journey. During
Read moreJanis Joplin
Janis Joplin (1943–1970) was born in the oil town of Port Arthur, Texas and inspired by early blues artists such as Bessie Smith, she left school to try and become
Read moreMavis Staples
Staples was born in Chicago in 1939. She began singing with her family, known as the Staple Singers, at churches and on local radio. Her father “Pops” was a friend
Read moreEtta James
Etta James (1938–2012), born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles, was one of the most influential singers of this century. From the age of five, she learned how to sing. Her
Read moreWillie Mae Thornton
Willie Mae Thornton (1926–1984) earned her name “Big Mama” for her big stage presence and even bigger voice. Born in Alabama, she spent her early years singing in church with
Read moreSister Rosetta Tharpe
Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915–1973) was an American singer, most famous for popularizing gospel music in the 1930s and 40s. Her musical style combined powerful gospel vocals with a guitar and
Read moreVictoria Spivey
Victoria Spivey (1906–1976) was an American blues singer and songwriter born in Houston, Texas. Known throughout her career as “Queen Victoria”, she came from a musical family: her father was
Read moreSippie Wallace
Sippie Wallace (1898–1986), born Beulah Belle Thomas, was a singer-songwriter. Wallace began performing from the age of just seven, playing the piano and singing for the church. By night, she
Read moreMemphis Minnie
Memphis Minnie (1897–1973), born Lizzie Douglas, was a blues vocalist, songwriter and guitarist. Hailing from a family of sharecroppers in Mississippi, she learnt to play the guitar and the banjo
Read moreBessie Smith
Bessie Smith (1894–1937) was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on 15th April 1894. She had a passion for music from a young age and grew up performing on the streets with
Read moreMa Rainey
Ma Rainey (1886-1939) was one of the first African-American professional blues singers. Born Gertrude Pridgett, she began performing as a teenager in black minstrel shows, where she met her husband,
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