Description
Bessie Smith was an American blues singer, one of the first female blues singers, and one of the greatest singers of the 1920s. She was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1892. Her parents were William Smith and Laura Price. Bessie began singing professionally at the age of eight and later became the foremost female blues singer of the 1920s.
Smith’s career began in 1912 when she joined the Rabbit Foot Minstrels, a traveling show. She soon started performing solo and in 1918, she made her first recording for Columbia Records. She became a star on the vaudeville circuit and recorded more than 100 songs over her career.
Smith was known for her powerful, passionate vocal style and her ability to convey emotion through her singing. Her songs often featured themes such as heartache, love, and longing. She was also known for her stage presence and risqué lyrics.
Smith’s success was short-lived, however. The Great Depression caused her to lose her popularity, and she died in 1937 at the age of 45. Her influence on later blues singers, however, cannot be understated. She was an inspiration to many, and her music is still enjoyed today.
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