Bessie Jackson (Lucille Bogan) (1897-1948) was a performer infamous for writing some of the most sexually explicit Blues songs ever committed to record.
Bessie Jackson (Lucille Bogan) (1897-1948) was a performer infamous for writing some of the most sexually explicit Blues songs ever committed to record.
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History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
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 Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica 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.
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This month, we’re featuring the stories of queer stars of stage and screen. They’re women who expanded the norms of gender and sexuality in the limelight, and behind the scenes.
Today, we’re talking about "one of the big three of the blues." But this performer didn’t just sing the blues. She sang… the dirty blues. She's infamous for writing some of the most sexually explicit Blues songs ever committed to record.
Let's talk about Lucille Bogan.
Lucille Bogan was born Lucille Anderson on April 1st, 1879, in Monroe County, Mississippi. Little is known about her early life, other than her family relocated to Birmingham, Alabama. In the late 1910s, Lucille met and married Nazareth Lee Bogan. The couple had one son together.
Over the next few years, Lucille grew in the Birmingham blues scene. By 1923, she was signed by Okeh Records and recorded her first record, "Lonesome Daddy Blues," in New York City. Later that year, she recorded "Pawnshop Blues" in Atlanta,, making her the first blues artist to record outside of New York or Chicago.
Lucille had her first big hit with her song "Sweet Petunia." While many of Lucille's early pieces had the word “blues” in the title, her style was more like the vaudeville performances of the 1920s, with hints of ragtime and Black folk music. Over time, Lucille's voice deepened, and her lyrics became more explicit.
Lucille cut her teeth performing at rowdy juke joints. Over time she stopped using her real name and began recording under the name "Bessie Jackson." Under that persona, her lyrical content focussed on drinking and sex. She released songs such as "Sloppy Drunk Blues" and "Tricks Ain't Walkin' No More," which were covered by Memphis Minnie, who we’ve talked about on this show. She also recorded the original version of "Black Angel Blues," which was later covered by blues legend B.B. King.
Lucille's most explicit song was the infamous "Shave 'Em Dry." The lyrics to the song were so raunchy, she recorded two versions – one clean and one dirty. The clean version of the song contained double entendres similar to her past lyrics. The dirty version – which, legend has it, was never actually meant for the public – gave listeners a front-row seat to what Lucille would sing at the rowdy juke joints of the day. "Shave 'Em Dry" was a huge hit, and was even referenced in The Rolling Stones' song "Start Me Up."
Lucille's racy lyrics matched her love life. She had numerous affairs with both men and women. She was even rumored to have an affair with her pianist Will Ezell. She also sang about her relationships with women in songs like "B.D. Woman's Blues" which featured lyrics such as "Comin' a time, B.D. women, they ain't gonna need no men. They got a head like a sweet angel, and they walk just like a natural man."
Lucille returned to Birmingham in 1935, after being dropped by her record label. She never recorded another song. In her later years, she managed her son’s jazz ensemble, Bogan’s Birmingham Busters, and followed him to Los Angeles. She passed away in 1948 from heart disease at the age of 51.
Today, Lucille is still remembered – and revered – for her infamous lyrics. This year, in 2022, she was finally inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.
All month, we’re highlighting queer stars of the stage and screen.
For more information, find us on Facebook and Instagram @womanicapodcast.
Special thanks to creators Jenny and Liz Kaplan for inviting me to guest host.
Talk to you tomorrow!