In the Fifties, Ruth Brown was known as "Miss Rhythm," a testament to her stature as a female rhythm & blues singer whose only serious competition was Dinah Washington. Signed to Atlantic Records in 1948 by label founders Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson, Brown gave the fledgling company its second-ever hit with "So Long," a simple, bluesy showcase for her torchy, church- and jazz-schooled voice. Her second single, "Teardrops in My Eyes," brought out her more swaggering, aggressive side, and she was rewarded with her first Number One R&B hit. For the duration of the Fifties, Brown dominated the R&B charts and even crossed over into rock and roll with some success with "Lucky Lips" (written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller) and "This Little Girl's Gone Rockin'" (written for Brown by Bobby Darin). But her best work was to be found on such red-hot mid-Fifties R&B sides as "5-10-15 Hours" and "(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean." No less a rock and roll pioneer than Little Richard has credited Brown with influencing his vocal style. Brown's two dozen hit records helped Atlantic secure its footing in the record industry, a track record for which the young label was referred to as "the House That Ruth Built."
Get full artist bio (courtesy of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

 
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