SINGING LEGEND RUTH BROWN DIES

Last updated: Saturday, November 18, 2006

SINGING LEGEND RUTH BROWN DIES

Grammy award-winning singer RUTH BROWN died yesterday (17NOV06) after suffering a string of health complaints since 2000. She was 78.

RUTH BROWN

The Virginia-born star died of complications following a stroke and heart attack, and had been on a life support machine at a Las Vegas hospital earlier this week (begs13NOV06).

Brown was an influential figure on both the R+B and rock 'n' roll scenes in the 1950s, and revived her career in the 1970s and 1980s through musical theatre and film.

After landing a role in 1988 cult movie HAIRSPRAY, she won a Tony Award for her role in Broadway revue BLACK AND BLUE in 1989, and was presented with a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance on the album BLUES ON BROADWAY the same year.

In her later years she was a vocal fighter for the rights of older R+B musicians, and in 1987 helped to establish the Rhythm + Blues Foundation, which provides medical and financial support for older artists, as well as helping to preserve the R+B genre.

Source: WENN

| Saturday, November 18, 2006

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SINGING LEGEND RUTH BROWN DIES

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