#Ruth Brown

[classicfilmpunk]

HAIRSPRAY (1988) dir. John Waters

[bitter69uk]

“I idolized Ruth Brown. I wanted to be Ruth Brown”. Little Richard

Died on this day: fabulous 1950s rhythm and blues diva Ruth Brown (12 January 1928 – 17 November 2006). I was privileged to see “Miss Rhythm” perform several times over the years at Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly weekenders. She was like a regal, soulful earth mother. Even in failing health, Brown rocked the house like a pro and boy did she know how to milk a crowd. “The doctors told me I’d never walk again,” she’d declare. “And here I am!” Which always elicited an eruption of applause! For John Waters fans, Brown will always be Motormouth Maybelle in the definitive 1988 version of Hairspray. As Brown told NPR in 1997, she almost declined the part. “I had said, well, I'm not going to do this film, especially when they took me to wardrobe and brought that white wig out. I said, not on your life … (But Divine stepped in.) I called him the divine Divine. He came to me, and he said, “Girl, put that wig on your head and make some money.” And I said to him, “No, I'm going to lose every fan I've got in the world if I come out with this white wig.” And Divine said, “Well, I tell you what. For every one you lose, I'm going to bring you two.” And every time I see that film - and it runs continuously, and I've gone into grocery stores and see young people following me around - my ego says, “Oh, they know who I am, Ruth Brown,” that kind of thing. And then they will eventually say, “Aren't you Motormouth Maybelle?'” That was my role and continues to be my claim to fame, you know. That cult film has really been wonderful. I go to the mailbox quite often now and find a little cheque with John Waters - God bless him - on it. And he writes to me and sends me crazy Christmas cards and things till this day.” My favourite song of Brown’s will always be “Teardrops from My Eyes."

[detroitlib]

Portrait of singer Ruth Brown. Printed on front: "Ruth Brown. Direction Shaw Artists Corporation, 565 Fifth Avenue, New York 17, New York. James J. Kriegsmann, N.Y." Typed on back: "Ruth Brown opening a one week engagement at the Flame Show beg. Friday, August 22, 1958."

E. Azalia Hackley Collection of African Americans in the Performing Arts, Detroit Public Library

[billboard-hotties-tourney]

Dolly Parton (1946-) solo Songs: "Jolene," "I Will Always Love You" Defeated Opponents: Alice Coltrane Propaganda: "One of the best country (and any) musicians to grace us with her talents for decades! A bimbo with a brain and we love her! Beyoncé and Whitney Houston covered her songs. This woman supports women! And literacy! But also her voice is one of a kind and she knows how to command any stage she's on." "She's one of the world's best-selling musicians and she's an actress! Shes's also an advocate for LGBT rights, gives money to HIV/AIDS research, and many more causes. She donates one book per month to every kid born in Tennessee up until they're 5 years old. She put a lot of money into COVID research. Her large chest is so well-known that it's been written about in songs, military tanks have been named after her, and Dolly the cloned sheep shares her name. Also, she apparently wrote Jolene and Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You in the same day!" "She's adorable. She's funny. She smart and business savvy enough that she would probably be a billionaire if she wasn't also a genuinely wonderful human being who gives tons and tons of money away to various charities and causes. She's so supportive of younger artists and artists of color and the queer community. She's always so gracious and genuinely excited when new artists cover her songs. She's the best thing to ever come from the state of Tennessee and I love her entirely. We do not deserve her but I'm glad we have her."

Ruth Brown (1928-2006) solo Songs: "Teardrops from My Eyes," "So Long" Defeated Opponents: Nan Wynn Propaganda: see visual

Visual Propaganda for Dolly Parton:

Visual Propaganda for Ruth Brown:

[jazzplusplus]

1959 - Apollo Theatre

Ruth Brown

Miles Davis trio

Thelonious Monk

Johnny Richards and band

[courseyoulovemeyoudontknowme]

Seven Pounds (2008, Gabriele Muccino)

26/08/2024

[candle-1-1-shine]

Today's Quote

“Life is like a butterfly. You can chase it, or you can let it come to you”

Ruth Brown

[fightingwithallreality]

Bonny's Big Day (1987) written by James Herriot, illustrated by Ruth Brown

[wellthebardsdead]

I can’t be the only one who feels this way, but Karlach radiates HEAVY Ruth Brown energy for me!

Like- get a few beers in her and hand her a tambourine and let her loose and you’ll get this!

[theersatzcowboy]

Hairspray (1988)

John Waters’ foray into mainstream filmmaking — a tribute to the candy-colored Baltimore of his childhood — is still reliably offbeat (and deeply funny) and features one of the too-few happy plus-sized teenagers in American popular culture, played with adorable pluckiness by future talk show icon Ricki Lake.

Director: John Waters

Cinematographer: David Insley

Starring: Ricki Lake, Divine, Ruth Brown, Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono, Jerry Stiller, and Michael St. Gerard

[randomberlinchick]

Ruth Brown, 5 10 15 hours

[bitter69uk]

Born on this day: fabulous 1950s rhythm and blues queen Ruth Brown (12 January 1928 - 17 November 2006). I have cherished memories of seeing “Miss Rhythm” perform several times over the years at Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly weekenders. Even in declining health, she exuded earth mother warmth and rocked the house. And Brown knew how to milk it for dramatic effect. “The doctors told me I’d never walk again,” she’d declare. “And here I am!” Which always elicited an eruption of applause! Ruth Brown was a woman and a half! For John Waters fans, Brown is synonymous with the role of Motormouth Maybelle in the original (and definitive!) 1988 version of Hairspray. As Brown told NPR in 1997, she almost declined the part. “I had said, well, I'm not going to do this film, especially when they took me to wardrobe and brought that white wig out. I said, not on your life … (But Divine stepped in.) I called him the divine Divine. He came to me, and he said, “Girl, put that wig on your head and make some money.” And I said to him, “No, I'm going to lose every fan I've got in the world if I come out with this white wig.” And Divine said, “Well, I tell you what. For every one you lose, I'm going to bring you two.” And every time I see that film - and it runs continuously, and I've gone into grocery stores and see young people following me around - my ego says, “Oh, they know who I am, Ruth Brown,” that kind of thing.  And then they will eventually say, “Aren't you Motormouth Maybelle?'” That was my role and continues to be my claim to fame, you know. That cult film has really been wonderful. I go to the mailbox quite often now and find a little cheque with John Waters - God bless him - on it. And he writes to me and sends me crazy Christmas cards and things till this day.” Pic: photo of Brown at Viva Las Vegas 2006 by me.

[affiches-concerts]

Ruth Brown, 1956.

[billboard-hotties-tourney]

Ruth Brown (1928-2006) solo Songs: "Teardrops from My Eyes," "So Long" Propaganda: see visual

Nan Wynn (1915-1971) solo - additionally an actress Songs: "I'm Old Fashioned," "They Didn't Believe Me" Propaganda: "Just look at her!! such a good singer that she dubbed over Rita Hayworth in some movies"

Visual Propaganda for Ruth Brown:

Visual Propaganda for Nan Wynn: