Samoans History, Culture & Facts | Who are the Samoan People? Bob Dylan refers to Rainey in the song "Tombstone Blues" on his 1965 album, Highway 61 Revisited in which she is intimate with Beethoven ("Ma Rainey and Beethoven once unwrapped their bedroll"). Ma Rainey's cause of death was heart disease at 53, in 1939. Susanoo in Japanese Mythology Role & Origin | Who is Susanoo-no-Mikoto? Brown wrote a poem entitled "Ma Rainey" in 1932 about how "When Ma Rainey/Comes to town" people everywhere would hear her sing. According to her brother, Thomas Jr., at a very early age her talent as a singer was very noticeable. When Gertrude was ten, her father passed away and her mother took a job with the Central Railway of Georgia. History of Groundhog Day: Origin & Facts | What is Groundhog Day? Merlin the Wizard: Mythology, Legend & Names | Who is Merlin? As was often the case with tent show acts, she wintered in New Orleans, where she befriended jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, and Joe King Oliver. Polaroid History & Products | When were Polaroids Invented? All Saints' Day History, Traditions & Facts | All Hallows' Day, Worldwide Church of God: History & Founder | Grace Communion International. The Sun Dance Ceremony Practices & Overview | What is the Sun Dance? The Birdman of Alcatraz Life & Significance | Who was Robert Stroud? Encyclopedia History, Examples & Facts | What is an Encyclopedia? Japanese New Year Traditions & Celebration | What is Oshogatsu? Geni requires JavaScript! The couple hit the road, performing song-and-dance routines for a variety of black minstrel troupes that worked under tents. The Thinker by Auguste Rodin | Overview, History & Analysis, Leviathan in Religion & Mythology | Origin, Description & Symbolism. Religion in Norway | Overview, History & Facts. Poet Sterling A. In 2023, she was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Kojiki Texts, Facts & Overview | What is the Furukotofumi? Khalsa Origins, Founders & Symbols | What is the Khalsa Tradition? "Ma" Rainey (born Gertrude Pridgett; c. April 26, 1886 December 22, 1939) was one of the earliest known American professional blues singers and one of the first generation of such singers to record. Urdu Language History, Facts & Development | What is Urdu? Danny Rainey son About William "Pa" Rainey From Ma Rainey." Bio. Toiling anonymously in black tent shows with Pa Rainey, whom she married at age 18, she seemed destined for a life of poverty and obscurity. There is uncertainty about the birth date of Gertrude Pridgett. Officials Ruled Inmate's 'Boiling' Death An Accident. But Documents Yakuza History & Facts | What is the Yakuza? London Missionary Society: History & Missions | What was the LMS? Step Pyramid Architecture & Examples | What is a Step Pyramid? The singer was the second of five children who started performing at Black minstrel shows in her teenage years. Amalek Overview & Facts | Who are the Amalekites in the Bible? Chinese Qi Overview & Significance | What is Qi Energy? When whites outnumbered blacks not an uncommon occurrence, according to witnesses the overflow sat peacefully in the black section.