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Early Life
Bessie Smith was born as Elizabeth Smith, on April 15, 1894. Smith was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She had no education. Her parents are William Smith and Laura Smith. Her six siblings names are Clarence, Bud, Andrew, Viola, Tinnie and Lulu. Her father William died thereafter she was born. Her mother Laura and two other siblings died when she was 8 years old. Smith and her other siblings were raised by their aunt she nearly starved them. Her sister did other people's laundry for payment. -
Family life
In the year 1919 Mr.Smith and Mrs.Smith adopted a child and named him Jack Gee Jr. Bessie Smith married her husband Jack Gee in the summer of 1923. He often had nervous breakdowns and he continuously beat her. He kidnapped their adopted son. Her adopted son went through a series tragic events. -
Career
She began sing at a very young age, in 1923 she signed a contract with Columbia Records. Bessie Smith is famous for singing blues with songs such as "Downhearted Blues" and" Backwater Blues ". These songs made her the highest paid black performer of her time. She bought at railroad car to travel in and sleep in. During the time of the Great Depression many people lose money. Smith had to sell her railroad car. She starred in a 1929 film called St.Louis Blues a semi autobiography of her life. -
Death of Bessie
On September 26, 1937 Bessie died in Clarksdale, Mississippi. She died due to a car crash caused by her husband at the time Richard Morgan. A truck driver pulled off the road to check his tires. Their car came rolling behind him and he slams the brakes. She was seen unconscious and bleeding heavily. She was rushed to G.T Thomas Hospital where she died the next day. She died at the age of 43. -
Accomplishments and Fun Facts
Accomplishments of Smith's life is her winning a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and Grammy of Hall of Fame. Some fun facts are her earning the name of "Empress of blues". She has a movie with Queen Latifah starring her this movie is called "Bessie". This movie was released in the year 2015. Her legacy will live on with her music. The Ku Klux Klan confronted her one day but she quickly scared them off. She sold over 800,000 records. She is known as the Empress of Blues. -
Contributions
Bessie Smith's contribution to the black community was she changed blues for many African Americans. She had a very courageous, upbeat and determined personality. She was an inspiration to many black people in the 20's. Bessie Smith contributed to my life by encouraging my to listen to different types of music old and new. I first heard one of her songs in one of my favorite movies. The creators remixed it but I still to this day love the movies and the song.