big maybelle

Biography

Mabel Louise Smith, professionally known as Big Maybelle, was born on May 1, 1924, in Jackson, Tennessee, and became one of the most powerful and expressive R&B vocalists of the 1950s. She began her musical journey singing gospel in her local Sanctified Church choir as a child, winning first prize at Memphis' Cotton Carnival singing competition at just eight years old. By her teens, she had transitioned to rhythm and blues, launching her professional career in 1936 with Dave Clark's Memphis Band. Throughout the late 1930s and 1940s, she toured with the all-female International Sweethearts of Rhythm and recorded with Christine Chatman's Orchestra, making her first recordings in 1944 on the Decca label.

Big Maybelle's breakthrough came in 1952 when she was discovered by producer Fred Mendelsohn at a performance with Jimmy Witherspoon at Detroit's Flame Show Bar. Mendelsohn signed her to Okeh Records and gave her the stage name "Big Maybelle" in recognition of her distinctive loud yet well-toned voice. Her debut recording for Okeh, "Gabbin' Blues," became an instant hit, reaching number three on the Billboard R&B chart in 1953, followed by successful releases "Way Back Home" and "My Country Man" that same year. Her deep, gravelly voice and commanding stage presence made her a sensation on the R&B circuit, performing at prestigious venues including the Apollo Theater in New York and the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival. She recorded for multiple labels including Savoy Records, where she achieved further success with songs like "Candy" (1956), which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, and "96 Tears."

Despite her immense talent and early success, Big Maybelle's career was significantly impacted by heroin addiction and health issues that left her struggling financially and causing frequent no-shows at engagements. Her reputation suffered considerably, though contemporaries recognized her extraordinary abilities—Billie Holiday famously refused to follow her opening act, acknowledging the power of her performances. Big Maybelle died on January 23, 1972, in a Cleveland hospital from complications of diabetes, leaving behind a legacy as one of the premier R&B chanteuses of her era whose talent deserved greater stardom.

Fun Facts

• Billie Holiday refused to follow Big Maybelle's opening act, acknowledging the overwhelming power of her performances and vocal ability.
• Big Maybelle recorded a version of 'Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On' in 1955, two years before Jerry Lee Lewis's famous rendition brought the song to mainstream success.
• At just eight years old, Big Maybelle won first prize at Memphis' Cotton Carnival singing competition, launching her path to stardom.
• Cash Box Magazine ranked Big Maybelle as the number three best female R&B performer in 1953, behind only Faye Adams and Dinah Washington, during her first year with Okeh Records.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Dave Clark - Bandleader who gave Big Maybelle her first professional opportunity and helped launch her career (Dave Clark's Memphis Band) [1936-1940]
• Fred Mendelsohn - Record producer who discovered Big Maybelle and gave her the stage name 'Big Maybelle'; signed her to Okeh Records (Okeh Records productions) [1952 onwards]
• Christine Chatman - Pianist and bandleader who worked with Big Maybelle early in her career (Christine Chatman's Orchestra recordings) [1936-1944]

Key Collaborators

• International Sweethearts of Rhythm - All-female touring band that Big Maybelle performed with (Tour performances across Mississippi to Indiana) [Late 1930s-early 1940s]
• Oran 'Hot Lips' Page - Trumpeter who backed Big Maybelle on her debut solo recordings (King Records sessions) [1947]
• Tiny Bradshaw - Bandleader and collaborator (Tiny Bradshaw's Orchestra) [1947-1950]
• Quincy Jones - Orchestra leader who worked with Big Maybelle (Quincy Jones Orchestra performances) [1950s]
• Jimmy Witherspoon - R&B singer who performed with Big Maybelle at Detroit's Flame Show Bar, where she was discovered (Flame Show Bar performance) [1952]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
2. That's A Pretty Good Love (Blues, Candy & Big Maybelle)
3. 96 Tears ("America's Queen Mother Of Soul" Got A Brand New Bag)
4. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On (I've Got a Feelin' - Okeh & Savoy Recordings 1952-56)
5. Blues Early, Early, Pts. 1 & 2 (Candy!)
6. Goin' Home Baby - Alternate (Blues, Candy & Big Maybelle)
7. New Kind of Mambo (I've Got a Feelin' - Okeh & Savoy Recordings 1952-56)
8. Maybelle's Blues (I've Got a Feelin' - Okeh & Savoy Recordings 1952-56)
9. I've Got a Feelin' (I've Got a Feelin' - Okeh & Savoy Recordings 1952-56)
10. One Monkey Don't Stop No Show (I've Got a Feelin' - Okeh & Savoy Recordings 1952-56)

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](Not found in search results)