Ruth Brown(1928-2006)(1928-2006)

Inducted in 1993Inducted in 1993

•born in Portsmouth, VA

•known as “Miss Rhythm”

•started singing in church (but showed more interest in singing at local club and USO shows)

•played in Lucky Millinder’s Big Band

•signed to Atlantic: “the house that Ruth Built”

“Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean”

(1953)(1953)

An urbanized style of music developed by African Americans that combines blues and jazz, characterized by simple melodies, strong, repetitious rhythms (often with a backbeat) and repeated variations on syncopated instrumental phrases

Rhythm and Blues:Rhythm and Blues:

Rhythm and BluesRhythm and Blues“The rhythm & blues that these stations were playing, the forerunner of rock and roll, was itself a hybrid form. As a category, it had been adopted by the music business in 1949 as a more palatable catch-all phrase, replacing the designation “race” music. Still a code word for black music, it encompassed styles as diverse as gospel, blues, and jazz.”-- Reebee Garafalo, “Crossing Over: From Black Rhythm & Blues to White Rock ‘n’ Roll”

Ahmet Ertegun1923-2006

b. Istanbul, TurkeyInducted 1987

Atlantic Records

Jerry Wexler1917-2008

b. Bronx, NYInducted 1987

Founded in 1947

• at the forefront of the independent record labels that challenged the primacy of the major labels of their time

• quickly became the nation’s premier Rhythm & Blues label

• later became a leading label in the rock era, signing bands like Crosby, Stills & Nash, Led Zeppelin, and Yes