November 15, 1937 William Edward John (Little Willie John), rhythm and blues singer, was born in Cullendale, Arkansas but raised in Detroit, Michigan. In 1955, John recorded his debut single “All Around the World”. This was followed by such hits as “Fever” (1956), “Talk To Me” (1958), and “Sleep” (1960). Over his career John made […]
Tag Archives | singer
November 11th in African American History – Delores LaVern Baker
November 11, 1929 Delores LaVern Baker, rhythm and blues singer, was born in Chicago, Illinois. Baker began performing around Chicago under various names before settling on LaVern Baker in 1952. Her first hit recording came in 1955 with “Tweedlee Dee”, which reached number 4 on the R&B charts.
November 10th in African American History – Miriam Makeba
November 10, 2008 Miriam Makeba, singer and civil rights activist, died. Makeba was born on March 4, 1932 in Johannesburg, South Africa. She began her professional singing career in the 1950s with the Manhattan Brothers before she formed her own group, The Skylarks, singing a blend of jazz and traditional South African melodies.
October 26th in African American History – Hattie McDaniel
October 26, 1952 Hattie McDaniel, the first Black performer to win an Academy Award, died. McDaniel was born June 10, 1895 in Wichita, Kansas. She was a professional singer/songwriter, comedienne, stage and movie actress, and radio performer. Over the course of her career she appeared in more than 300 films, often portraying a maid. In […]
October 20th in African American History – Shirley Horn
October 20, 2005 Shirley Horn, jazz singer and pianist, died. Horn was born May 1, 1934 in Washington D. C. She began playing the piano at an early age and had thoughts of becoming a classical artist. She first achieved fame in 1960 and over her career was nominated for nine Grammy Awards, winning in […]
October 19th in African American History – Jennifer-Yvette Holliday
October 19, 1960 Jennifer-Yvette Holliday, singer and actress, was born in Riverside, Texas. At the age of 19, Holliday earned a role in the Broadway production of “Your Arm’s Too Short to Box with God”.
October 4th in African American History – Bernice Johnson Reagon
October 4, 1942 Bernice Johnson Reagon, singer, composer, scholar and social activist, was born in southwest Georgia. Reagon was an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s as a member of the Freedom Singers, organized by the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). She is a specialist in African American oral history, performance, […]