Bessie Smith, known as the "Empress of the Blues," was the most influential and controversial classical blues singer of the 1920s. During her prime, her powerful blues voice sold almost a million records and gave her a weekly salary of about $2000, placing her at the top of the blues charts. Though she was often criticized for her reputation of drinking, fighting, and sexual encounters with both sexes, she was a legend in the black community. …showed first 75 words of 659 total…

…showed last 75 words of 659 total…false. This marked the end of an extraordinary career and talent, but what she left behind would live on. Her music to this day is popular and respected. It has earned her several honors such as induction into the Blues Foundation’s Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Bibliography Oliver, Paul. Bessie Smith. New York: Barnes Press, 1961 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography** Bibliography Oliver, Paul. Bessie Smith. New York: Barnes Press, 1961