Bessie Smith (born April 14, 1894, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA – died September 26, 1937, in a car accident near Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA) was an American blues singer.
Nicknamed the "Empress of the Blues", she was considered by many to be the greatest blues singer of all time. She was also a successful vaudeville entertainer who became the highest paid African-American performer of the roaring twenties. Bessie died from injuries sustained in a car crash. Her arm which was probably hanging out the car window was almost severed at the elbow. Her grave was unmarked for 33 years until Janis Joplin paid for her headstone in 1970. Half-sister of Diamond Teeth Mary.
Inducted into Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 (Early Influence).
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August 12, 1978
Navy Pier
Chicago, Illinois, United StatesApril 30, 1936
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesApril 29, 1936
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesApril 28, 1936
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesApril 27, 1936
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesApril 26, 1936
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesApril 25, 1936
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesApril 24, 1936
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesDecember 26, 1935
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesDecember 25, 1935
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesDecember 24, 1935
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesDecember 23, 1935
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesDecember 22, 1935
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesDecember 21, 1935
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesDecember 20, 1935
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesNovember 2, 1935
The Parrish Cafe
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesNovember 1, 1935
The Parrish Cafe
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesAugust 1, 1935
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesJuly 31, 1935
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesJuly 30, 1935
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United StatesSome of Bessie Smith's most popular tracks include Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out, St. Louis Blues, Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out - 78rpm Version, Me and My Gin, Do Your Duty. Listen to these songs and discover more from their extensive catalog.
Bessie Smith (born April 14, 1894, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA – died September 26, 1937, in a car accident near Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA) was an American blues singer. Nicknamed the "Empress of t... Read the full biography on this page.
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