Bessie Smith was born on April 15, 1894. source
Bessie Smith was born on April 15, 1894.
Bessie Smith was dead on April September 26, 1937. source
Bessie Smith was dead on April September 26, 1937.
Bessie Smith was an American blues singer. source
Bessie Smith was an American blues singer.
Nicknamed the Empress of the Blues, Bessie Smith was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s. source
Nicknamed the Empress of the Blues, Bessie Smith was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s.
Bessie Smith is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era and was a major influence on other jazz singers. source
Bessie Smith is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era and was a major influence on other jazz singers.
The 1900 census indicates that her family reported that Bessie Smith was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. source
The 1900 census indicates that her family reported that Bessie Smith was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Bessie Smith's career was cut short by the Great Depression, which nearly put the recording industry out of business. source
Bessie Smith's career was cut short by the Great Depression, which nearly put the recording industry out of business.
Bessie Smith continued touring and occasionally sang in clubs. source
Bessie Smith continued touring and occasionally sang in clubs.
In 1929, Bessie Smith appeared in a Broadway musical, Pansy. source
In 1929, Bessie Smith appeared in a Broadway musical, Pansy.
Bessie Smith was paid a non-royalty fee of $37.50 for each selection on these Okeh sides, which were her last recordings. source
Bessie Smith was paid a non-royalty fee of $37.50 for each selection on these Okeh sides, which were her last recordings.
On September 26, 1937, Smith was critically injured in a car crash while traveling along U.S. source
On September 26, 1937, Smith was critically injured in a car crash while traveling along U.S.
Bessie Smith was taken to the G. T. Thomas Afro-American Hospital in Clarksdale, where her right arm was amputated. source
Bessie Smith was taken to the G. T. Thomas Afro-American Hospital in Clarksdale, where her right arm was amputated.
Bessie Smith died that morning without regaining consciousness. source
Bessie Smith died that morning without regaining consciousness.
Bessie Smith's grave was unmarked until a tombstone was erected on August 7, 1970. source
Bessie Smith's grave was unmarked until a tombstone was erected on August 7, 1970.
The U.S. Postal Service issued a 29-cent commemorative postage stamp honoring Bessie Smith in 1994. source
The U.S. Postal Service issued a 29-cent commemorative postage stamp honoring Bessie Smith in 1994.
Bessie's Back in Town, a musical in production by Barry Edelson, presents as accurately as possible aspects of her life and death. source
Bessie's Back in Town, a musical in production by Barry Edelson, presents as accurately as possible aspects of her life and death.
"Bessie Smith", a song by the Band, is about her. source
"Bessie Smith", a song by the Band, is about her.
