Portrait of Ruth Brown

Ruth Brown

Origin: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA Years: January 12, 1928 - November 17, 2006

Ruth Brown, born Ruth Alston Weston, was an American singer-songwriter and actress known as 'Miss R&B' and 'Queen of R&B.' A pioneering R&B vocalist, Brown recorded for Atlantic Records from 1949 to 1962, releasing over 20 R&B chart hits including 8 number-one singles: 'Teardrops from My Eyes,' 'So Long,' 'I'll Wait for You,' and '(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean.' Her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence influenced countless singers including Etta James, Aretha Franklin, and LaVern Baker. A Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Brown also pioneered R&B radio and successfully transitioned to Broadway and film acting, appearing in 'Hairspray' and 'The Blues Brothers.' Her songs have sold over 10 million copies worldwide.

R&BBluesJump BluesRock and RollDoo WopSoulPop

Discography Overview

During her recording career from 1949 to 1995, Brown released over 100 songs across Atlantic Records and other labels, with over 20 charting on Billboard's R&B chart and 8 reaching number one: 'Teardrops from My Eyes' (1950), 'So Long' (1951), 'I'll Wait for You' (1952), '(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean' (1953), 'Oh What a Dream' (1953), 'I Can Hear the Blues Calling' (1954), '5-10-15 Hours' (1954), and 'Wild Wild Young Men' (1956). Her early 1950s recordings on Atlantic Records helped establish the label and influenced the development of R&B. Brown won 1 Grammy Award in 1989 for 'Blues on Broadway' album and was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Her recordings have sold over 10 million copies worldwide.

Key Albums

  • Ruth Brown (1957)
  • Miss Rhythm (1959)
  • Along Came Ruth (1962)
  • Ruth Brown and the Playboys (1976)
  • Blues on Broadway (1989)
  • Ruth Brown (1995)

Key Songs

  • Teardrops from My Eyes
  • So Long
  • I'll Wait for You
  • (Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean
  • Oh What a Dream
  • I Can Hear the Blues Calling
  • 5-10-15 Hours
  • Wild Wild Young Men
  • Love Didn't Lie
  • I Don't Hurt Anymore
  • Baby, You've Got What It Takes
  • Lucky Lips

Career Timeline

  1. 1945 Began performing with Lucky Millinder Orchestra; first radio appearances
  2. 1947 Won talent contest at Club Harlem in Washington, D.C.; signed with Atlantic Records
  3. 1949 Released debut single 'So Long' on Atlantic Records; became first major hit
  4. 1950 Released 'Teardrops from My Eyes'; first number-one R&B hit
  5. 1951 Released 'I'll Wait for You' and 'Lucky Lips'; continued R&B chart success
  6. 1952 Released '5-10-15 Hours' and 'Baby, You've Got What It Takes'
  7. 1953 Released '(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean' and 'Oh What a Dream'
  8. 1954 Released 'I Can Hear the Blues Calling'
  9. 1955 Released 'Love Didn't Lie' and 'I Don't Hurt Anymore'
  10. 1956 Released 'Wild Wild Young Men' and 'Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean'; peak chart success
  11. 1957 Released debut album 'Ruth Brown'; transitioned to ballads
  12. 1959 Released 'Miss Rhythm' album; continued R&B success
  13. 1961 Left Atlantic Records; signed with Imperial Records
  14. 1962 Released 'Along Came Ruth' album; recording career slowed due to family commitments
  15. 1976 Released 'Ruth Brown and the Playboys'; made comeback recording
  16. 1978 Appeared in Broadway musical 'Eubie!'
  17. 1982 Starred in film 'The Blues Brothers'; appeared in 'Hairspray' (1988)
  18. 1988 Appeared in film 'Hairspray' and Broadway revival
  19. 1989 Released 'Blues on Broadway' album; won Grammy Award for Best Blues Recording
  20. 1993 Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  21. 1995 Released final album 'Ruth Brown'; retired from recording
  22. 2002 Received Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
  23. 2006 Died from complications of stroke and heart surgery in Las Vegas, Nevada at age 78; career spanned 57 years

Influence Graph

How Ruth Brown sits in the influence chain

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