Biography
Ann Peebles, born April 27, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri, emerged from a deeply musical family—her father was a minister and her mother a singer. She began singing in her father's church choir and performed with the family group, the Peebles Choir, touring the gospel circuit from a young age. As a teenager, she transitioned to secular music, performing in St. Louis clubs and joining the revue of local blues bandleader Oliver Sain. Her pivotal break came in 1968 during a visit to Memphis, where her impromptu performance with trumpeter Gene 'Bowlegs' Miller led to an audition with Hi Records producer Willie Mitchell, securing her first recording contract.[1][2][3][6]
Peebles quickly became a defining voice of Memphis soul in the 1970s, recording for Hi Records alongside producer Willie Mitchell and the Hi Rhythm Section. Her signature sound fused gospel-inflected vocals with the smooth, groove-oriented 'Hi Sound'—a blend of soul, R&B, and funk. She scored a series of R&B hits, most notably the classic 'I Can't Stand the Rain' (1973), co-written with her husband Don Bryant and Bernie Miller, which reached the Top 10 on the Billboard R&B chart. Other standout tracks include 'I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down' and 'Part Time Love.' Peebles was notable for co-writing much of her material, often with Bryant, and for her emotionally resonant performances that explored themes of love, heartbreak, and resilience.[1][2][3][6]
After Hi Records closed in 1979, Peebles took a hiatus to focus on family but returned to recording in the late 1980s and 1990s, releasing new albums and performing internationally. Her influence endures through the many artists who have covered or sampled her work, and she is celebrated as one of the most authentic and enduring voices in American soul music. In 2014, she was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, cementing her legacy as a soul icon.[1][2][6]
Fun Facts
- Ann Peebles co-wrote her signature hit 'I Can't Stand the Rain' during a rainstorm, inspired by the sound of raindrops hitting her window.[1]
- She was the only female artist at Hi Records to release a consistent string of albums throughout the 1970s.[1][2]
- Peebles' songs have been covered or sampled by a remarkably diverse range of artists, from Tina Turner to Missy Elliott to Bette Midler.[1][6]
- Despite her powerful stage presence, Peebles stands just 4 feet 11 inches tall, often surprising audiences with the strength of her voice.[3]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Oliver Sain - Blues bandleader and early career mentor; Peebles joined his revue as a teenager, gaining experience in secular music. (Live performances and club circuit work in St. Louis) [mid-1960s]
- Willie Mitchell - Producer and key architect of the 'Hi Sound'; guided Peebles' recording career at Hi Records. (Produced all early albums including 'I Can't Stand the Rain') [1968–1979, 1989]
Key Collaborators
- Don Bryant - Songwriting partner and husband; co-wrote many of Peebles' signature songs. ('I Can't Stand the Rain', '99 Pounds', multiple albums) [1970s–2000s]
- Hi Rhythm Section - Studio band for Hi Records; provided instrumental backing on her classic recordings. (All Hi Records albums) [1968–1979]
- Memphis Horns - Horn section featured on many Hi Records tracks. (Multiple singles and albums) [1970s]
- Cyndi Lauper - Collaborated on a duet for Lauper's blues album. ('Rollin' and Tumblin'' on 'Memphis Blues') [2010]
Artists Influenced
- Missy Elliott - Sampled Peebles' 'I Can't Stand the Rain' in her hit 'The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)'. ('The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)') [1997]
- Tina Turner - Covered 'I Can't Stand the Rain', bringing Peebles' song to new audiences. ('Private Dancer' album) [1984]
- Paul Young - Covered 'I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down', achieving a UK hit. ('The Secret of Association' album) [1984]
- Bonnie Raitt - Cited Peebles as a hero and influence on her own soulful style. (General influence, interviews) [1980s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| I Can't Stand the Rain | 1974-06-11 | Album |
| Straight from the Heart | 1971 | Album |
| Tellin' It | 1975 | Album |
| Part Time Love | 1970-08-18 | Album |
| Same Kind of Different As Me (Music from the Motion Picture) | 2017-10-20 | Album |
| The Handwriting Is on the Wall | 1979 | Album |
| I Can't Stand The Rain | 1974-06-11 | Album |
| If This Is Heaven | 1977 | Album |
| This is Ann Peebles | 1969-01-01 | Album |
| Full Time Love | 1992-01-01 | Album |
| Live in Memphis | 2022-04-29 | Album |
| Straight From The Heart | 1971 | Album |
| I Still Love You | 2014-02-06 | Album |
| Fill This World With Love | 1996-06-04 | Album |
| Memphis Blues (Deluxe Version) | 2010-06-21 | Album |
Top Tracks
- I Can't Stand the Rain (I Can't Stand the Rain)
- Trouble, Heartaches & Sadness (Straight from the Heart)
- I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down (I Can't Stand the Rain)
- Until You Came into My Life (I Can't Stand the Rain)
- Slipped, Tripped and Fell in Love (Straight from the Heart)
- I Feel Like Breaking up Somebody's Home Tonight (Straight from the Heart)
- Run, Run, Run (I Can't Stand the Rain)
- 99 Lbs
- Do I Need You (I Can't Stand the Rain)
- (You Keep Me) Hangin' On (I Can't Stand the Rain)
External Links
Tags: #rock-and-indie, #soul
References
Heard on WWOZ
Ann Peebles has been played 4 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2, 2026 | 15:03 | I Cant Stand the Rainfrom Hi 45 | The Blues Breakdown | |
| Oct 30, 2025 | 19:57 | I Pity The Foolfrom Straight From the Heart | R&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri | |
| Oct 16, 2025 | 21:49 | tonight i'll be staying here with you | R&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri | |
| Oct 9, 2025 | 22:09 | Slipped, Tripped and Fell In Love | Kitchen Sinkw/ Jennifer Brady |