Bessie smith gay

Rising to prominence during the Jazz Age, she recorded over songs for Columbia Records and became the highest-paid African American entertainer of her time. Her raw, emotive delivery tackled themes of love, heartbreak, and societal struggles. The star was a famous bisexual icon, having relationships with both men and women throughout her career.

Bessie Smith

Regardless of your beliefs or affiliations, one cannot fight the fact that the Black church is responsible for building and shaping decades of musical eras, and providing all those eras with icons. Some of the most powerful singers in history lent their voices to the booming pews of Sunday worship before they threw voices across tents, clubs, pubs and eventually, concert halls.

queer, black & blue: empress bessie smith’s reign

In , Janis Joplin helped purchase a headstone for the unmarked grave of Smith. View objects relating to Bessie Smith. Scott, Michelle R. Blues empress in black Chattanooga: Bessie Smith and the emerging urban South. Urubana: University of Illinois Press. Biography editors. Thompskins, Gwen.

Bisexual blues singer Bessie Smith and the Royal Theater

Today, where the Royal Theater once stood is now a mixed-use dwelling of commercial space and 54 apartments , though the facade of the theater has been preserved. Additionally, she's the designer of a line of eco-friendly leather accessories More by Terina Hill. Keep up with our community!