Ruth Brown

Ruth Brown (born 1928 in Portsmouth, Virginia; died 2006 in Henderson, Nevada) was a dominant post-war vocalist whose massive commercial success essentially built Atlantic Records: often referred to as "The House That Ruth Built." Blending her church choir origins with the sophisticated jazz phrasing of Billie Holiday and the bluesy grit of Dinah Washington, Brown became the reigning queen of 1950s rhythm and blues. Tracks like "Teardrops from My Eyes" and "Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean" featured her signature vocal squeak and swinging, horn-heavy arrangements. While she was an R&B and pop crossover star rather than a traditional blues singer, her undeniable vocal power and sophisticated delivery deeply influenced the next generation of soul and blues-rock vocalists.