Ruth Brown

Date of Birth: January 12, 1928

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: November 17, 2006

Biography

Ruth Brown, born Ruth Alston Weston, was an American singer and actress, renowned for her powerful voice and contributions to the development of rhythm and blues music. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, she began singing in church and local nightclubs before being discovered by Atlantic Records in 1948. Often dubbed “Miss Rhythm,” Brown became one of the label’s most successful artists in the 1950s, producing hits like “Teardrops from My Eyes,” “Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean,” and “5-10-15 Hours.” Her career waned in the 1960s, but she made a remarkable comeback in the 1970s and 1980s, both as a performer and an advocate for musicians’ rights. She won a Tony Award for her role in the Broadway musical “Black and Blue” and a Grammy Award for her album “Blues on Broadway.” Brown’s efforts to secure royalties for herself and other artists led to the formation of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. She passed away in 2006, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering figure in American music.

5 Interesting Facts about Ruth Brown

1. Ruth Brown was instrumental in Atlantic Records being dubbed “The House that Ruth Built” due to her numerous hits.

2. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

3. Brown’s activism led to improved royalty payments for musicians, making significant strides for the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.

4. She appeared in the 1988 film “Hairspray” directed by John Waters.

5. Brown won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in “Black and Blue” in 1989.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ruth Brown

1. “I was willing to make people laugh, but I was most willing to make them cry.”

2. “Rock ‘n’ roll was not a marriage of rhythm and blues; it was a marriage of rhythm and blues and country.”

3. “There were no black artists on television, and the radio stations that played our records were limited.”

4. “I have had a very hard life, but in the end, it has been worth it.”

5. “I didn’t know if I would ever sing again, but I knew that I would always fight for the rights of musicians.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Ruth Brown’s highest net worth achieved was estimated to be around $1 million, particularly after her career resurgence and successful advocacy work.

Children

Ruth Brown had two sons: Ronald David Jackson, who she had with her first husband, and Earl Swanson, Jr. from her second marriage. Both sons have followed creative paths, with Ronald being involved in music production.