(January 12, 1928-November 17, 2006)
Recorded 'So Long,' 'Teardrops from My Eyes,' 'I'll Wait for You,' 'I Know,' 'Love Has Joined Us Together,' 'Why Me,' '5-10-15 Hours' and 'Lucky Lips'
Played Leona Wilson on 'Hello Larry'
Nicknamed 'Miss Rhythm'

She starred in 'Hello Larry,' which is not a well respected sitcom.
As a teen, she snuck out and lied to her parents and performed at a local USO.
As a teen, she declined to play at the Harlem Theater for a week because she feared her father's wrath.
She got married at sixteen.
Her first marriage was annulled because her husband was already married, yet still kept the surname.
She divorced at least 4 times.
She did many odd jobs after her career faltered in the 60s, like drive a school bus and wash dishes.
She suffered from depression.

She is said to have been fully responsible for starting the Atlantic record label.
She never read music, and learned her songs by ear.
She nearly died in a car wreck in 1949, which left her legs to endure much pain.
She was only paid $69 for each single she released in her heyday.
After writing a letter to Atlantic Records in the 60s, she got a $1,000 check when ends could not meet.
She would later fight a successful battle in the 80's to get royalty payments back to her and other Atlantic artists of the era.
Her initials also stand for rhythm & blues.
She helped Redd Foxx get a fresh start in the 1950s by lending him money.
She ranked #60 on VH1's Top 100 Women of Rock & Roll.

Credit: Eric Hartman

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For 2009, as of last week, Out of 19 Votes: 36.84% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 27 Votes: 62.96% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 51 Votes: 60.78% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 596 Votes: 50.67% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 180 Votes: 48.33% Annoying
In 2004, Out of 244 Votes: 46.72% Annoying
In 2003, Out of 429 Votes: 44.99% Annoying

• Child Brides [16 and Under] (Ranked: 16)
• I Died in 2006 (Ranked: 78)
• I Married Young
• Jazz Artists
• John Waters Films
• Look at Me, I Got My Hands Up
• McFly's Profiles [Series 1]
• My Song is on Rhino's 'Say It Loud: A Celebration of Black Music in America'
• Profiles 7001-7250 (Ranked: 7026)
• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Members (Ranked: 1993)
• Tony Award: Best Actress in a Musical (Ranked: 1989)
• VH-1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock [July 1999] (Ranked: 60)