Ma Rainey

1886-1939

Blues Singer

Through a series of successful recordings and stage performances in the 1920s, Ma Rainey still influences singers and musicians today.

She was interested in lots of different types of music, but she is remembered best for Classical Blues, a female-dominated style that utilized Rainey's talents as a songwriter, dancer, comedian and actor.

Rainey, who is often called the Mother of Blues, was born Gertrude Pridgett in Columbus, Georgia. She was baptized in the First African Baptist Church. When she was 14, she appeared in the Brunch of Blackberries revue -- that was her first public appearance.

One of the women that learned her musical skills from Rainey is also thought to have been a romantic interest. Bessie Smith, whom many believe became a better singer than her teacher, is linked romantically to Rainey. Biographer Sandra Lieb says "we know that [Rainey] had sexual relationships with women, possibly including Bessie Smith."

Rainey didn't talk much about her sexual orientation, but some think she reveals many of her own feelings in her song "Prove It on Me Blues."

Among other obvious lesbian references, the song includes the line, "Went out last night with a crowd of my friends; They must've been women, 'cause I don't like no men."

While she wasn't "out" by the standards of her day or ours, Rainey sang about lesbian love in the 1920s. But she sang about men, too -- and about lots of other things. At a time when gay issues were taboo, though, this pioneering performer defied listeners to find evidence that she was a lesbian. "They say I do it, ain't nobody caught me," the song says, "Sure got to prove it on me."

Radical defiance isn't always a good quality, but Rainey's simple courage in song adds her to the every-growing list of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people who helped shape the world. Will history record your name on that list, too?