Biography for
Bessie Smith

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Date of Birth

July 1892, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

Date of Death

26 September 1937, Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA (auto accident)

Birth Name

Elizabeth Smith

Nickname

Empress of the Blues

Height

5' 9" (1.75 m)

Trivia

Elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 (under the category Early Influences).

Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1981.

Blues singer.

Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1984.

Ranked #26 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock N Roll

According to 1900 census, she was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States in July, 1892. That date stands in contrast to April 15, 1894, which is the date indicated on her wedding certificate and confirmed by family members.

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