Leontyne Price Biography (1927–)
Soprano Leontyne Price is widely regarded as the first African American to gain international acclaim as a professional opera singer.
Who Is Leontyne Price?
Renowned for her early stage and television work, ...
Posted Wednesday, March 30th 2022 at 12:37PM
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Marian Anderson Biography (1897–1993)
Deemed one of the finest contraltos of her time, Marian Anderson became the first African American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera in 1955.
Who Was Marian Anderson?
Singer Marian Anders ...
Posted Tuesday, March 29th 2022 at 4:26PM
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Patti LaBelle Biography (1944–)
Patti LaBelle is an African American singer and actress who has been called the Godmother of Soul. She is best known for hits like "If Only You Knew," "New Attitude" and "Stir It Up."
Who Is Patti LaBelle?
A ...
Posted Tuesday, March 29th 2022 at 4:20PM
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Mahalia Jackson Biography (1911–1972)
20th-century recording artist Mahalia Jackson, known as the Queen of Gospel, is revered as one of the greatest musical figures in U.S. history.
Who Was Mahalia Jackson?
Mahalia Jackson started singing ...
Posted Monday, March 28th 2022 at 5:27PM
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Donna Summer Biography (1948–2012)
Donna Summer was a singer-songwriter who became the "Queen of Disco" in the 1970s with such hits as 'Love to Love You Baby,' 'I Feel Love' and 'Last Dance.'
Who Was Donna Summer?
Singer-songwriter Donna S ...
Posted Monday, March 28th 2022 at 5:16PM
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Gladys Knight Biography (1944–)
Singer Gladys Knight has given voice to multiple R&B hits (with and without her Pips), including "Midnight Train to Georgia."
Who Is Gladys Knight?
Gladys Knight began singing with her siblings at age 8, cal ...
Posted Monday, March 28th 2022 at 3:38PM
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Dionne Warwick Biography (1940–)
Soul singer Dionne Warwick became a superstar with early hits like "Walk On By" and "I Say a Little Prayer," and later with albums like 'Dionne and Heartbreaker.'
Who Is Dionne Warwick?
Dionne Warwick sang ...
Posted Monday, March 28th 2022 at 12:21PM
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Aretha Franklin Biography (1942–2018)
Multiple Grammy winner and "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin was known for such hits as "Respect," "Freeway of Love" and "I Say a Little Prayer."
Who Was Aretha Franklin?
A gifted singer and pianist, Are ...
Posted Monday, March 28th 2022 at 12:10PM
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Florence Ballard Biography (1943–1976)
Singer Florence Ballard formed The Supremes in 1961 with childhood friends Mary Wilson and Diana Ross. She sang on 16 different Top 40 hits.
Who Was Florence Ballard?
Singer Florence Ballard became fa ...
Posted Sunday, March 27th 2022 at 5:44PM
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Diana Ross Biography (1944 –)
Singer and actress Diana Ross was part of the 1960s pop/soul trio the Supremes before embarking on a successful solo career, also starring in such films as 'Lady Sings the Blues' and 'The Wiz.'
Who Is Diana Ross? ...
Posted Sunday, March 27th 2022 at 5:38PM
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Sarah Boone Biography (1832–1904)
Who Was Sarah Boone?
Sarah Boone was an African American dressmaker who made her name by inventing the modern-day ironing board. In her patent application, she wrote that the purpose of her invention was "to ...
Posted Sunday, March 27th 2022 at 5:28PM
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Sarah Vaughan Biography (1924–1990)
Jazz vocalist Sarah Vaughan performed with big bands before becoming a solo artist. She is known for singing "Send in the Clowns" and "Broken-Hearted Melody."
Who Was Sarah Vaughan?
Jazz singer Sarah Vau ...
Posted Sunday, March 27th 2022 at 5:23PM
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Etta James Biography (1938–2012)
Who Was Etta James?
Etta James was a gospel prodigy. In 1954, she moved to Los Angeles to record "The Wallflower." Her career had begun to soar by 1960, due in no small part to songs like "I'd Rather Go Blind" ...
Posted Saturday, March 26th 2022 at 9:30PM
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Lena Horne - Biography (1917–2010)
Actress and singer Lena Horne was one of the most popular performers of her time, known for films such as 'Cabin in the Sky' and 'The Wiz' as well as her trademark song, "Stormy Weather."
Who Was Lena Horne? ...
Posted Saturday, March 26th 2022 at 9:17PM
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Ella Fitzgerald Biography (1917–1996)
Ella Fitzgerald, known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an immensely popular American jazz and song vocalist who interpreted much of the Great American Songbook.
Who Was Ella Fitzgerald?
...
Posted Saturday, March 26th 2022 at 9:06PM
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Ma Rainey Biography (1886–1939)
Singer Ma Rainey was the first popular stage entertainer to incorporate authentic blues into her song repertoire and became known as the "Mother of the Blues."
Who Was Ma Rainey?
Ma Rainey was the first popu ...
Posted Saturday, March 26th 2022 at 11:57AM
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Bessie Smith Biography (1894–1937)
Jazz and blues vocalist Bessie Smith's powerful, soulful voice won her countless fans and earned her the title "Empress of the Blues."
Who Was Bessie Smith?
Bessie Smith began to sing at a young age and i ...
Posted Saturday, March 26th 2022 at 11:49AM
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Wilma Rudolph Biography (1940–1994)
In 1960, Wilma Rudolph became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field at a single Olympics.
Who Was Wilma Rudolph?
Wilma Rudolph was a sickly child who had to wear a brace on ...
Posted Saturday, March 26th 2022 at 11:43AM
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Debi Thomas, Biography (1967–)
Debi Thomas was the first African American to win the women's title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and a medal in Winter Olympics competition.
Who Is Debi Thomas?
Debi Thomas started ice skating at ...
Posted Friday, March 25th 2022 at 1:30PM
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Billie Holiday Biography (1915–1959)
Billie Holiday was one of the most influential jazz singers of all time. She had a thriving career for many years before she lost her battle with addiction.
Who Was Billie Holiday?
Billie Holiday is con ...
Posted Friday, March 25th 2022 at 1:13PM
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Althea Gibson Biography (1927–2003)
Althea Gibson was the first African American tennis player to compete at the U.S. National Championships in 1950, and the first Black player to compete at Wimbledon in 1951.
Who Was Althea Gibson?
Althea ...
Posted Friday, March 25th 2022 at 12:58PM
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Eartha Kitt Biography (1927–2008)
Singer and actress Eartha Kitt is best known for her holiday song "Santa Baby," and for playing Catwoman in the 1960's TV show 'Batman.'
Who Was Eartha Kitt?
Eartha Kitt became popular in Paris as a nightc ...
Posted Thursday, March 24th 2022 at 12:18PM
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Ruby Dee Biography Playwright, Screenwriter, Poet, Civil Rights Activist
(1922–2014)
Ruby Dee was an American actress, playwright, screenwriter, activist, poet and journalist, perhaps best known for starring in the 1961 film A Raisin in the Su ...
Posted Thursday, March 24th 2022 at 12:10PM
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Jennifer Hudson Biography Singer (1981–)
Jennifer Hudson is an Oscar and Grammy-winning actress and singer best known for her starring role in 'Dreamgirls.'
Who Is Jennifer Hudson?
Jennifer Hudson is an American actress and singer. In 2004 ...
Posted Thursday, March 24th 2022 at 12:02PM
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