Womanica

Musicians: Ruth Brown

Episode Summary

Ruth Brown (1928-2006) was the self-titled Miss Rhythm, and R&B’s first star. While better known for her work later in life, her songs built a record empire and laid the foundation for a generation of musicians.

Episode Notes

Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know -- but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Leading Ladies, Activists, STEMinists,  Hometown Heroes, and many more. Encyclopedia Womannica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.

Encyclopedia Womannica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Liz Smith, Cinthia Pimentel, Grace Lynch, and Maddy Foley. Special thanks to Shira Atkins, Edie Allard, and Luisa Garbowit.

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Episode Transcription

Hello! From Wonder Media Network, I’m Jenny Kaplan. And this is Encyclopedia Womannica. 

All month we’re talking about Musicians. Women whose talents shaped history and the music industry. 

Today, we’re looking back at the self-titled Miss Rhythm and R&B’s first star. While better known for her work later in life, her songs built a record empire and laid the foundation for a generation of musicians. Let’s talk about Ruth Brown. 

Ruth was born in 1928 in Portsmouth, Virginia. She grew up singing in her father’s church choir and by the age of 17, started sneaking out of the house to sing to soldiers at USO clubs. There, she met her first husband, a trumpeter. The couple ran away together first to Detroit, and later to Washington D.C. where she landed a gig singing at Blanche Calloway’s nightclub, the Crystal Caverns. Soon after, she was offered a recording contract with Atlantic Records and the opportunity for a debut concert at the Apollo in New York City. 

Tragically, a serious car accident kept her from performing in that show. She spent nearly a year in the hospital recovering. During that time, her husband abandoned her. 

But these setbacks wouldn’t keep Ruth down for long. 

In 1949, Ruth recorded the track, “So Long” for Atlantic which reached No.4 on the R&B charts. Her second hit came just a year later, when in 1950 she released “Teardrops From My Eyes” at No.1 on the charts. It quickly became her signature song due the squeak heard in her voice on her high notes -- an effect that made it sound as if her voice was breaking from emotion. Little Richard would go on to use a similar affectation. 

Ruth quickly became the best-selling Black singer of the 1950s. She toured relentlessly through the South and was celebrated for her expressive smile and vibrant stage presence. She had dozens of chart-topping singles including, “This Little Girl’s Gone Rockin’” and “Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean”. Riding on the coattails of Ruth’s success, Atlantic Records soon became known as “The House That Ruth Built”. 

While she may have built Atlantic Records, the wealth was certainly not shared. Ruth was required to pay for all of her own touring and recording costs. And when Atlantic ended their professional relationship in the early 1960s, Ruth was left without any savings to fall back on. In order to make ends meet, she moved to Long Island, New York and worked a series of low-paying jobs. Her records fell into obscurity. 

In 1976, at the age of 48, Ruth’s career had a resurgence. The legendary comedian Redd Foxx cast her as  Mahalia Jackson in his production of the musical “Selma.” From there on out, she was on a roll. She dazzled as DJ Motormouth Maybelle in the 1988 film “Hairspray”, won a Tony award for her performance in “Black and Blue”  and won a Grammy for her 1990 album, “Blues on Broadway”. She also hosted the NPR show, Blues Stage. 

Those who are familiar with Ruth’s music most likely discovered her during this era. She finally received the latent appreciation she deserved for her earlier pioneering work as an R&B artist. 

She used this new-found fame as leverage against Atlantic Records. The deal she ultimately struck with the label allowed herself, and dozens of other musicians, to recoup back royalties. In 1988, she also helped found the Rhythm & Blues Foundation to preserve the legacy of R&B artists. In 1993, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Her autobiography, entitled Miss Rhythm, won the Ralph Gleason Award for Music Journalism in 1996. 

In 2006, Ruth died at the age of 78. 

Ruth Brown was a musical pioneer. The fact that her early work fell into obscurity is a direct reflection of the racial, genre and sexist double-standards she faced in the music industry. Before Ruth’s music debuted, Billboard had named the Rhythm & Blues chart, “Race Music,” denoting that this was thought of as music only for and by Black people. But covers of Ruth’s songs, like Patti Page’s rendition of “What a Dream” had no problem reaching No. 10 on the pop charts. Despite Ruth’s crossover appeal with Rock n’ Roll,  it wouldn’t be until 1962 that a solo black female artist -- Motown’s Marry Wells -- would break into that chart’s top 10. 

So while Ruth’s later career of jazz, blues and show tunes may have eclipsed her early hits -- the depth of Miss Rhythm’s massive contribution to American popular music should not be forgotten. 

All month we’re talking about musicians. For more on why we’re doing what we’re doing, check out our newsletter, Womannica Weekly. You can also follow us on facebook and instagram @EncyclopediaWomannica and you can follow me directly on twitter @jennymkaplan.

Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator. 

Talk to you tomorrow!