Ruth Brown

Ruth Brown, the chantuese who put her heart and soul into a song has died today at 78. What an amazing career she has had. To think she started out as a housewife back in the 50s, and then turned the next few decades into a voice that was unlike anyone else.

I was lucky to meet her once, her son who I met in Greenwich Village invited me to a rooftop NYC barbeque. It was 4th of July back in the late 80s, and she was in Black and Blue at the time on Broadway. She was amazingingly friendly and she saw I was very shy and told me to come sit on her lap. I brought along my partner and friend Yaron and they were also taken in with her charismatic way.

What a feast she put out, ribs,cornbread and every southern dish you could imagine. In the afternoon she took a few of the guests back to her apartment to play a card game I had never played, I believe it was called "Brisk", but I couldnt say for sure. I remember when I was leaving she kissed me on both sides of my cheeks,
and said goodbye like I knew her my whole life. I wish I did, we definately lost her way too soon, but her music is here forever.