Talk:Ruth Brown

Marriage?
In all the years that I've followed their careers, I never heard that Ruth Brown and Charles Brown were ever married (as it claims in the Ruth Brown article). Can anyone confirm this? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Marvy42 (talk • contribs)


 * Though she was married to Jimmy Brown, he was already married at the time (apparently unknown to her). See NYT obit. Jokestress 01:40, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

Seeking Brown lyrics
I'm looking for Brown's lyrics to "Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean." Any help? jessie_lou5000@yahoo.com —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 131.252.201.34 (talk) 03:14, 11 April 2007 (UTC).

Role model for Etta James
In her preface to:

Merlis, B., and Seay, D., 2002. Heart and Soul; A Celebration of Black Music Style in America 1930-75. Billboard Books,

Etta James wrote of her fascination with Ruth Brown, and how James consciously modelled the look and sound of her live appearances on Brown.123.255.60.118 (talk) 03:33, 30 June 2008 (UTC)

1968 Solid State Record
The article presently reads "During the 1960s, Brown faded from public view to become a housewife and mother, and only returned to music in 1975 at the urging of Redd Foxx...." In 1968, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis band released a fairly important LP with Ms. Brown as the featured vocalist, giving her equal billing with Jones and Lewis. Reverend.Mark.J (talk) 19:06, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

Date of birth
I think she was born January 30, not January 12. Pure coincidence that Ruth Snyder (née Ruth Brown) was executed on January 12, 1928 for her part in her husband's murder?? I don't think so. Quis separabit? 23:04, 17 June 2014 (UTC)
 * This article originally gave January 30, but it was changed to January 12 back in 2006, here, following this obituary.  It's since been changed back and forth several times such as here and here.  The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame now gives Jan 30 here - though apparently it used to say Jan 12 - as does the Telegraph.  FindaGrave apparently gives Jan. 30, though the site seemed to be down when I checked.  Sources that give Jan. 12 include the Washington Post, the Guardian, this book, this one, Allmusic, etc.   So.... we don't know.  I can't find any official records.  So, in these circumstances (which are not unique to her), I suggest we give both dates, with an explanation that they come from different reliable sources.  Ghmyrtle (talk) 07:46, 18 June 2014 (UTC)
 * PS: FindaGrave also says Jan 30 here, though the photo of the headstone does not show any dates. I tend to think Jan 30 is correct, but am comfortable with showing both dates.  Ghmyrtle (talk) 21:01, 19 June 2014 (UTC)


 * Belated PPS: Virginia birth records give 12 January 1928, but US Social Security records give 12 January 1927. She married James Earl Brown in North Carolina on 11 March 1947. In 1971, and again in 1997, records give her name as Ruth Blunt - presumably a second (or indeed third, fourth or fifth) marriage. All these details are from primary public records, accessed via Ancestry.com (not user-sourced) - they can be checked elsewhere, but I mention them here for completeness rather than to add them to the article. Ghmyrtle (talk) 15:16, 20 September 2015 (UTC)
 * I just looked at the sleeve notes of my CD to see if that might shed any light on the matter. Sadly it doesn't. There's a short bio, but only her birth year of 1928 is mentioned. This is Paul (talk) 15:50, 20 September 2015 (UTC)


 * Per three separate reflinks added just now to article by me (in lede), it would appear that January 12 is correct. Quis separabit?  01:29, 30 January 2016 (UTC)