Lucille Bogan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lucille Bogan
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lucile Anderson |
| Also known as | Bessie Jackson |
| Born | April 1, 1897 Birmingham, Alabama or Amory, Mississippi, U.S. (disputed) |
| Died | August 10, 1948 (aged 51) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Classic female blues |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1923–1935 |
Lucille Bogan (born Lucile Anderson; April 1, 1897 – August 10, 1948) was an American classic female blues singer. She was one of the first blues singers to have her music recorded. She also used the stage name Bessie Jackson. Many people consider her one of the most important early blues artists.
A music critic named Ernest Borneman called Bogan one of "the big three of the blues." He put her alongside other famous singers like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith. Many of Lucille Bogan's songs have been recorded by other blues and jazz musicians over the years. In 2022, she was honored by being added to the Blues Hall of Fame.
Early Life and Musical Start
Lucille Bogan was born Lucile Anderson. Her parents were Gussie and Wylie Anderson. Some records say she was born in Amory, Mississippi. However, other information suggests she was born in Birmingham, Alabama.
In 1914, she married Nazareth Lee Bogan. He worked on the railway. They had a son named Nazareth Jr. a year or two later. Lucille later divorced Nazareth and married James Spencer.
Lucille Bogan started her music career by recording songs in 1923. These were vaudeville songs, which were popular stage performances with music and comedy. She recorded them for Okeh Records in New York. Henry Callens played the piano for her.
Later that same year, she recorded a song called "Pawn Shop Blues." This recording happened in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a special moment because it was the first time a Black blues singer was recorded outside of New York or Chicago.
Recording Success
In 1927, Lucille Bogan began recording for Paramount Records. This was in Grafton, Wisconsin. Here, she had her first big hit song called "Sweet Petunia." Another famous blues musician, Blind Blake, later recorded his own version of this song.
She also recorded for Brunswick Records. For these recordings, she was often joined by the musician Tampa Red.
In the 1930s, Lucille Bogan recorded the first version of "Black Angel Blues." This song became very famous. Later, it was covered by many artists, including the legendary B. B. King. He called his version "Sweet Little Angel."
Later Career and Legacy
In 1933, Lucille Bogan went back to New York. To keep her identity a secret, she started recording under the name Bessie Jackson. She recorded for the Banner label, which was part of ARC.
She often worked with the pianist Walter Roland. Together, they recorded more than 100 songs between 1933 and 1935. Some of her most popular songs from this time include "Seaboard Blues," "Troubled Mind," and "Superstitious Blues." Other songs she recorded were "Stew Meat Blues," "Coffee Grindin' Blues," and "My Georgia Grind."
Her last recordings were in March 1935. She recorded two versions of a song called "Shave 'Em Dry." She recorded these with Walter Roland and Josh White.
Lucille Bogan stopped recording music after 1935. For a while, she managed her son's jazz group, called Bogan's Birmingham Busters. She then moved to Los Angeles shortly before she passed away in 1948. She is buried at Lincoln Memorial Park in Carson, California.
In 2022, Lucille Bogan was added to the Blues Hall of Fame. This honor recognized her important contributions to music. The Hall of Fame noted that her songs were "landmarks in blues" and continue to be remembered decades after her death.
Images for kids
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Lucille Bogan, a pioneering blues singer.
