Top > Entertainment > 2006 > November > 2006-11-23

Rhythm and Blues Pioneer, Ruth Brown, Dies

One of the most important figures in modern music, Ruth Brown died in Las Vegas over the weekend. The 78-year-old singer died after a massive stroke and heart attack. Ruth Brown was best known for her fifties hits such as ?Mama he Treats your Daughter Mean? and ?Mambo Lips?. She became one of the best selling recording artists of the decade and her voice gave a huge boost to the fledgling record company, Atlantic Records.

When rock ?n roll went out of fashion in the late 1950?s Ruth was forced into early retirement and had to make a living as a maid and school bus driver, while at the same time, bringing up her two sons on her own. In the 1970?s, her musical talent was revived and she went on to produce a number of blues and jazz tunes and started a stage and acting career. She was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1993. Her strong style and gospel voice influenced singers such as Little Richard, Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin.

Ruth Brown was also known for her ongoing struggle to get royalties from Atlantic Records for herself and other rhythm and blues singers. As a result of her efforts, the Philadelphia-based Rhythm and Blues Foundation was formed, which preserves this musical genre and provides financial and medical support to aging singers from that era.