HAIRSPRAY - RUTH BROWN "Miss Rhythm"

-
Singer/Songwriter Ruth Brown played record promoter and R&B record store owner "Motormouth Maybelle Stubbs" in the John Water's film HAIRSPRAY. 

Ruth Brown was a prominent figure in R&B during the 1950's. Her first major hit "Teardrops From My Eyes," displayed her distinct style of pop infusion to rhythm and blues. Ruth was hailed as the "girl with the tear in her voice" referencing the "squeak" that she made on her high notes, as if her voice was breaking with emotion. Teardrops From My Eyes remained on the top of the Billboard chart for eleven weeks, earning her the nickname, Miss Rhythm. [npr] 
                                                                  "Teardrops From My Eyes"
                                                            
Ruth's captivating stage presence, with her big eyes, and infectious smile, easily sold 
many records. Among her most popular recordings was 
Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean and This Little Girl's Gone Rockin'.
Hailed as the Queen of R&B, Atlanta Records, became known as the house that Ruth built.   
                   Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean
                      
In spite of Ruth's success with recording and touring, she struggled to receive royalties from Atlantic.
Her performing career fell off during the 1960's, taking odd jobs to support her family. Ruth returned to music and tried her hand at comedy at the urging of friend Redd Foxx. One appearance led to many and before long, she had a successful career in TV, film and the stage.

Ruth never gave up on her fight for musicians' rights and royalties, which led to the founding of  the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1987.  The foundation provides financial support, medical assistance and educational outreach through grants and programs to preserve the cultural legacy of R&B.

Brown was nominated for six Grammy awards. Her awards include:
*1989: Grammy Award, Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female
*1989: Tony Award, Best Actress in a Musical
*1989: Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Award
*1992: Inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame
*1993: Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
*1996: Ralph Gleason Award for Music Journalism
*2016: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
*2017: Inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee - Ruth Brown
Ruth Brown continued touring up until age 78.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

OCEANS Eleven (1960) - Music & Trivia

-
Image
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop The tale behind the concept for OCEANS ELEVEN (1960) is recounted as: *Peter Lawford was first told of the basic story of the film by Director Gilbert Kay [not associated with this film] who heard the story from a gas attendant. Lawford eventually bought the rights in 1958, imagining William Holden in the lead. Sinatra became interested in the idea and a variety of writers worked on the project. When Lawford first told Sinatra of the story, Sinatra joked, " Forget the movie, let's pull the job!" *pp. 117-121 Levy, Shawn Rat Pack Confidential 1998 Fourth Estate Ltd . Ocean's Eleven featured a nearly all male cast. Out of the main characters, three of them - Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., were singers. Oddly enough, the singer you would have expected to be featured - Frank - was not. The music 'spotlight' was cast on Dean and Sammy - which was not a disappointment in the leas
Read more

AUNTIE MAME - It's the Theatre, Dahling!

-
Image
Mame Dennis (played by Rosalind Russell) is a free spirited woman living a bohemian lifestyle, whose mantra is "Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!" Her best friend and sidekick, Vera Charles (portrayed by Coral Browne), is (apparently) a well known actress on Broadway... so she likes to inform all who will listen. We often see her recovering in Mame's guest room, from a very good party. Vera is currently starring in a real 'yawn' entitled, MIDSUMMER MADNESS. At the same time, Mame is having difficulties finding suitable work due to the 1929 stock market crash. Vera reveals that she may have a 'walk on' part that would be perfect for Mame. The two friends are thrilled at the prospect of revisiting their stage alliance.   Unfortunately for Vera and her cast, it turns out that some Divas are not adaptable to simple 'walk on roles.' Mame, being the confidant, free thinking woman that she is, decided to fill the two lines
Read more

THE PARENT TRAP - Body doubles & Split screens

-
Image
The 1961 audience was totally wowed by the filming of TWO Hayley Mills in Disney's THE PARENT TRAP.   David Swift, director, was able to create the illusion of twins through the use of body doubles and a split screen. Ub Iwerk and Bob Broughton were the geniuses behind the new technological advancement in film. In creating the illusion of Hayley being her own twin, these scenes had to be filmed twice. Actress double, Susan Henning, stood in for placement during the filming of the split screen shots. Hayley would then, change clothes and wig for a re shoot of the opposite twin. Everything involved in the scene remained the same - camera, set, lighting, props, etc. for continuity. The other part of the screen is then filmed with the opposite - previously filmed - side which would be blacked out with a matte. The two strips of film were rephotographed one frame at a time. The 'split' in the screen is masked with a 'seam,' or background element - bedposts, door frames,
Read more