Big maybelle biography

Born in Jackson, Tennessee, United States, Big Maybelle sang gospel as a child and by her teens had switched to rhythm and blues. She began her professional career with Dave Clark's Memphis Band in , and also toured with the all female International Sweethearts of Rhythm.

Mabel Louise Smith (May 1, – January 23, ), known professionally as Big Maybelle, was an American R&B singer.

She then joined Christine Chatman's Orchestra, and made her first recordings with Chatman in , before recording with the Tiny Bradshaw's Orchestra from to Her debut solo recordings, recorded as Mabel Smith, were for King Records in , when she was backed by Oran "Hot Lips" Page, but she had little initial success. In she was signed by Okeh Records, whose record producer Fred Mendelsohn gave her the stage name 'Big Maybelle' because of her loud yet well-toned voice.

In she recorded the song "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On", produced by up-and-coming producer Quincy Jones, a full two years before rockabilly then rock and roll singer Jerry Lee Lewis's version. Lewis credited Smith's version as being the inspiration to make his version much more louder, raunchy and raucous, with a driving beat and a spoken section with a come-on that was considered very risque for the time.

More hits followed throughout the s, particularly after signing with Savoy Records later in , including "Candy" , one of her biggest sellers. After she recorded for a variety of labels but the hits largely dried up. She continued to perform into the early s.

Big Maybelle was a top selling performer from the Golden Age of R&B, who could interpret rousing carousing dance music, and bring it all back down with a tender haunting ballad.

Smith died in a diabetic coma in , in Cleveland, Ohio. She was survived by her only child Barbara Smith, and 5 grandchildren. Big Maybelle. Childhood and musical background Born in Jackson, Tennessee, United States, Big Maybelle sang gospel as a child and by her teens had switched to rhythm and blues. Okeh Records In she was signed by Okeh Records, whose record producer Fred Mendelsohn gave her the stage name 'Big Maybelle' because of her loud yet well-toned voice.