Bertha Lee Pate | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | Lula, Mississippi, U.S. | June 17, 1902
Died | May 10, 1975 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | (aged 72)
Bertha Lee Pate, known more commonly as Bertha Lee (June 17, 1902 – May 10, 1975) [1][ better source needed] was an American classic female blues singer, active in the 1920s and 1930s. She recorded with, and was the common-law wife of Charley Patton. [2]
When she was young, Lee's family moved to Lula, Mississippi. Lee met Patton in 1930 and remained his partner until his death in 1934. [3] During this time, she sang on twelve of Patton's recordings, which resulted in the recording of three of her own songs, "Yellow Bee", "Dog Train Blues", and "Mind Reader Blues". [4] Patton accompanied her on guitar on these records. [2]
In 1933, the couple settled in Holly Ridge, Mississippi. Her relationship with Patton was a turbulent one. In early 1934, both of them were incarcerated in a Belzoni, Mississippi jailhouse after a particularly harsh fight. [5] W. R. Calaway from Vocalion Records bailed the pair out of jail, and escorted them to New York City, for what would be Patton's final sessions (on January 30 and February 1). [6] They later returned to Holly Ridge and Lee saw Patton out in his final days, as he died, according to his death certificate, of a mitral valve disorder on April 28, 1934. [6] [5]
Little else is known of Lee, and her recordings with Patton are the only documents of her voice. The album, Masters of the Delta Blues : The Friends of Charlie Patton contains some of her work. [7]
She died in 1975 in Chicago, Illinois.
Bertha Lee Pate | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | Lula, Mississippi, U.S. | June 17, 1902
Died | May 10, 1975 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | (aged 72)
Bertha Lee Pate, known more commonly as Bertha Lee (June 17, 1902 – May 10, 1975) [1][ better source needed] was an American classic female blues singer, active in the 1920s and 1930s. She recorded with, and was the common-law wife of Charley Patton. [2]
When she was young, Lee's family moved to Lula, Mississippi. Lee met Patton in 1930 and remained his partner until his death in 1934. [3] During this time, she sang on twelve of Patton's recordings, which resulted in the recording of three of her own songs, "Yellow Bee", "Dog Train Blues", and "Mind Reader Blues". [4] Patton accompanied her on guitar on these records. [2]
In 1933, the couple settled in Holly Ridge, Mississippi. Her relationship with Patton was a turbulent one. In early 1934, both of them were incarcerated in a Belzoni, Mississippi jailhouse after a particularly harsh fight. [5] W. R. Calaway from Vocalion Records bailed the pair out of jail, and escorted them to New York City, for what would be Patton's final sessions (on January 30 and February 1). [6] They later returned to Holly Ridge and Lee saw Patton out in his final days, as he died, according to his death certificate, of a mitral valve disorder on April 28, 1934. [6] [5]
Little else is known of Lee, and her recordings with Patton are the only documents of her voice. The album, Masters of the Delta Blues : The Friends of Charlie Patton contains some of her work. [7]
She died in 1975 in Chicago, Illinois.