[1][2][24] It was initially believed to be the "Asian flu" but later turned into "pneumonia". Vernon told him Gladys had died at 3.15am. Blues Singer. She claimed that she had married a white woman in Atlantic City. [22] Gibson denied ever marrying her.[23]. The 1950s were even more conservative than the early part of the 20th century. When she brought little Gladys home, she refused to nurse the girl, leaving Bentleys grandmother to raise the infant on a bottle for six months. Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? At the time of her death, she had been more involved in the church and had just been ordained as a minister despite never getting her official paperwork. But she still had one more legacy left. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. In many ways, Bentley never stopped trying to be in the spotlight, even as her audiences waned and the world changed around her. Portraits of Bentley are now held in the music collections of the African American History museum, where the performer is both a face of the Harlem Renaissance and an example of a woman who on her own terms navigated the entertainment business during the Great Depression and Prohibition Eras. Gladys died of a heart attack and liver failure caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Gladys Bentley died suddenly from the flu in Los Angeles in 1960 at the age of 52. Get the latest information about timed passes and tips for planning your visit, Search the collection and explore our exhibitions, centers, and digital initiatives, Online resources for educators, students, and families, Engage with us and support the Museum from wherever you are, Find our upcoming and past public and educational programs, Learn more about the Museum and view recent news, Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of African American History & Culture. She marched right over one night during a packed audience and met the clubs skeptical boss, Harry Hansberry. singer. According to Bentley herself, her dysfunctional relationship with her mother shaped the rest of her life in intense ways. 0 references. Gladys Bentley Early Life Story, Family Background and Education The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. My hands fairly flew over the keys. Unlike other notorious party girls -- including Barbara Payton and Lila Leeds -- she consistently delivered solid performances over the course of a half-century career. In the late 1950s, Bentleys repentance for her star-studded sins took a turn towards God, and she got involved in her local Church and began studying to be a minister. Photograph of Gladys Bentley by an unidentified photographer, 1927-45. 01/18/1960 . Lila Gladys Young | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers Over the course of their acquaintance, Bentley came to realize Don was a normal man who was utterly devoted to her, and they eventually started a romantic relationship and even, according to Bentley, married. In 1952, her first husband J.T. With lyrics like hers, controversy came knocking on Bentleys door soon enough. Like everything she did, she did this whole hog, and got ordained at the beginning of the 1960s. By the 1950s, Bentley was approaching middle age and the roaring 20s of her youth and the Harlem Renaissance community that flirted with modernism was now a thing of her past. At the peak of her career, the singer was . Openly lesbian, she sang raunchy remakes of popular tunes in a deep voice, dressed in her signature mens style of tuxedo and top hat. musician. She found one, alright. Gladys Bentley | LGBTQIA+ Wiki | Fandom At the time of her death she survived by her large extended friends and family. Today, experts believe that the article and her marriages were not actually true representations of her identity, but rather her attempts to conform to the newly conservative standards of the day so she could survive. Yow. With the repeal of Prohibition, her popularity and public tolerance of openly gay persons waned. [12] Bentley was known for taking popular songs and putting a promiscuous spin on them. She kept on performing, but in womens clothing. Bentleys fame was a product of being both a gifted singer and an adept provocateur. Do you find this information helpful? You can always change this later in your Account settings. Rustin's sexuality was a cause for debate by others in the movement, but toward the end of his life, he began to openly fight for queer causes. And this is JD Doyle with Queer Music Heritage and a special show devoted totally to her. A system error has occurred. This is when she began performing in men's attire ("white full dress shirts, stiff collars, small bow ties, oxfords, short Eton jackets, and hair cut straight back"),[3] and here she perfected her act and became popular and successful. Gladys Bentley - Historical records and family trees - MyHeritage Make sure that the file is a photo. She tried to continue her musical career but did not achieve as much success as she had had in the past. In 1958, Bentley, who grew up in Philadelphia, appeared on Groucho Marxs game show You Bet Your Life where she said she was from Port-au-Spain (her mother happened to be Trinidadian). If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. As a singer, Bentley became known for a deep, growling voice and a trumpet-like scat. Try again later. 1,242 likes, 52 comments - Gladys Bentley Society (@gladysbentleysoc) on Instagram: "This incredible human is a living testament to the power of faith, will, resilience, and service . Her success picked up again during World War II with the expansion of gay bars on the West Coast. In her Ebony tell-all I Am A Woman, Bentley mentions yet another husband, a sailor named Don, who she claims seduced her, turned her straight, and set her on the path to womanhood again. According to the stories, Bentleys new partner was also a white woman. Yet the reality behind her death was far too simple, and far too tragic. But trouble started as soon as Gladys was born. Hansberry insisted that the club had been built around the popularity of Bentley's success and that he owned a five-year contract over Bentley and her raunchy songs. Elvis was given emergency leave to visit her, arriving in Memphis on August 12, but she died on August. Although Catherine's successor Queen Anne Boleyn suffered an infamously dark fate, Aragon's own life was somehow even more tragic. At the Mad House, the boss was reluctant to give me a chance, Bentley wrote. Acclaimed singer Gladys Knight recently became the latest celebrity to fall victim to an online death hoax. [21] In 1931, Bentley had a civil ceremony in New Jersey, in a public union with a white woman whose identity is unknown. She surprised her audience by wearing dresses and publicly declaring in an August 1952 Ebony article, I am woman again. Her literary assertions of marriage to two different men could not be verified. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. Born in Philadelphia, she moved to New York City at the age of 16 and began her career as a performer at Harry Hansberry's Clam House on 133rd Street, one of the city's most notorious gay speakeasies. Elvis' cause of death was NOT what you think: His - Express She knew what was popular, what she could do, and what people would pay to see, he says. Today though, Bentleys story is resurfacing and she is seen as an African-American woman who was ahead of her time for proudly loving other women, wearing mens clothing and singing bawdy songs. She quickly made a name for herself as somebody who sang ribald songs, says Wilson. The Wayward Life of Gladys Bentley - Paris Review Bentley moved to California, where she continued recording music, touring and performing in upscale supper clubs and bars, but Wilson says her act was a toned down version of what it was at the height of her fame in New York. Gladys Bentley was born in Philadelphia in 1907 to a Trinidadian woman and an American man. Sorry! The unknown cause explained a tragic death that had occurred decades earlier. This drag king persona has formed part of her legacy to this day. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Just play. And Bentley was just getting started. [2] She heard that Harry Hansberry's Clam House on 133rd Street, one of the city's most notorious gay speakeasies,[8] needed a male pianist. Gladys Bentley was a triple threata singer, a dancer, and a lesbian. Bentley was openly lesbian early in her career, but during the McCarthy Era in the 1950s, she started wearing dresses and married (within five months of meeting) Charles Roberts, age 28, a cook, in a civil ceremony in Santa Barbara, California, in 1952. But trouble started as soon as Gladys was born. Gladys Bentley's speakeasy from the Harlem Renaissance, "Clam Jam," was a gay nightlife scene 100 years ahead of its time. Michael Bekoev. She relocated to southern California, marketing herself as Americas Greatest Sepia Piano Player and The Brown Bomber of Sophisticated Songs, a cheeky nod to her inelegant lyrical double entendres. When we do, we depend on our loyal, helpful readers to point out how we can do better. Her salary started at $35 per week plus tips and went to $125 per week, and the club was soon renamed Barbara's Exclusive Club, after her stage name at the time, Barbara "Bobbie" Minton. In her brief years, Bentley had seen America transform from a hedonistic party to a strait-laced society, and she came out the other side just as changed herself. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Bentley died of pneumonia unexpectedly at her home in Los Angeles on January 18, 1960, aged 52. However, Floyd County Schools said in a statement Friday . This browser does not support getting your location. A talented pianist and blues singer, she ran away to New York City at the age of sixteen. A large, 250-pound woman, her deep voice appealed to straight, gay, black, and white audiences. In it, she not only repudiates her homosexuality, but also her entire identity before that moment, revealing that she now only wears dresses and other acceptable housewife attire in order to please her husband and herself. While Bentley was in California, the halcyon days of the liberal Roaring Twenties transformed into conservatism almost overnight, and she didnt find as many friendly faces in her crowds. Gladys fell seriously ill just a few months after Elvis enlisted in the US Army. People, many of whom were white, seeking entertainment and covert access to alcohol crowded into Harlem nightclubs, speakeasies and parties. Gladys Bentley (1907-60) Michael Ochs Archives . Oops, we were unable to send the email. Early the next morning at 3:15 AM on August 14, Gladys Presley, the 46-year-old mother of Elvis, died from a heart attack due to hepatitis complications. Bentley always had expensive tastes; she just never had the bank account to match. The duo insisted that Bentley left them high and dry at the rise of the club and wanted to pursue other interests that she could financially benefit from. Later psychiatrists would coin Bentley's non-heteronormative behavior as "extreme social maladjustment." Okeh Race Records released eight singles of her music between 1928 and 1929. In shock and disbelief Elvis rushed to the hospital. A large, 250-pound woman, her deep voice appealed to straight, gay, black, and white audiences. Miss Bentley was an amazing exhibition of musical energy a large, dark, masculine lady, whose feet pounded the floor while her fingers pounded the keyboard a perfect piece of African sculpture, animated by her own rhythm.[15]. It couldnt have been going betterbuta rapid downfall was just around the corner. Shed made a scandalous name for herself singing her dirty songs, and audiences came out in droves. Please let us know if a fact weve published is inaccurate (or even if you just suspect its inaccurate) by reaching out to us at contribute@factinate.com. She dressed in men's clothes (including a signature tuxedo and top hat), played piano, and sang her own raunchy lyrics to popular tunes of the day in a deep, growling voice while flirting with women in the audience. Gladys would soon become pregnant and . All Rights Reserved. After graduating from the rent party circuit, Bentley got her shot at becoming a nightclub performer. Elvis' Mother Cause Of Death. On Thursday, Charlie Monk, music publisher and family friend of the country singer-songwriter, confirmed to The Tennessean that Weatherly died on Wednesday. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Gladys Bentley Was The Gender Nonconforming, Lesbian Superstar - Bust "She was just defiant in who she was, and for gender and sexuality studies today, she shows the performance of . Gladys Bentley should be remembered for being a gender outlaw, says Wilson. A large, masculine, Black womana "bulldagger," in the language of her dayshe was known for wearing a. No clan is left untouched, and even families that seem happy and normal on. Learn more about managing a memorial . composer. Black and white audiences loved the risqu lyrics, the sonorous deep voice, the open flirtation with the most attractive women in the audience, the jokes about sissies and bull daggers. Was Bentley slowly unraveling? 3 references. One of Bentleys signature performance moves was to flirt shamelessly with women in the audience. The creativity that came out of that period shaped music, theater, dance, literature, intellectual thought and scholarship in a way that has shaped who we are today.. Blues Singer. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. At least, I always thought I was." Then, she made a jaw-dropping decision. Bentley was openly lesbian early in her career, but during the McCarthy Era she started wearing dresses and married, claiming to have been "cured" by taking female hormones. . Date of death: August 5, 2017. She began to resent her brothers and didnt want men to touch her, yet she also started wearing boys clothes and suits instead of skirts and blouses, partly in a bid to emulate who her mother wanted her to be. Gladys Bentley - National Museum of African American History and Culture English Looking back, this might have been a bad omen. The cause of her death was most likely due to the stress of Elvis' career and the demands of being a single mother. This service only issues certified copies of microfilmed death certificates for deaths that occurred in Louisiana between 1911-1972. Within months of Bentleys entrance into Broadway, the authorities had cottoned onto to her risqu shows, and they made sure to nip them right in the bud. As the most commanding mistress in the French court, she bettered the lives of many and became a beloved figure. Bentley began singing at rent parties and buffet flats. Just days before the Tampa Pro bodybuilding contest in 2017, Sean Harris fell asleep behind the wheel and died in a pretty tragic accident. When Gladys Bentley performed in speakeasies, especially at the beginning of her career, a curious thing started happening. 100 Women: Gladys West - the 'hidden figure' of GPS - BBC News At the time, she didnt understand her desiresbut all that was about to change in a big way. cause of death. 5. Gladys Bentley Obituary (1934 - 2021) | New York Mills, MN Feb 2013 Script - Gladys Bentley Tribute - Queer Music Heritage Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Hansberry was so vengeful, he wasnt content to just sue Bentley; he also tried to prevent her from seeking any further success. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7634493/gladys-alberta-bentley. She scoffed and said, Man? Lynda Baron: Open All Hours and Come Outside actress dies aged 82 Due to her inability to feel conformable and her family's inability to accept her as she was, Bentley ran away from home at the age of 16 to begin her life in New York City.[2]. According to Elvis History Blog, Gladys Presley, the mother of Elvis Presley, died "of a heart attack" at the age of 46, the cause of death given in an Associated press story from the time.. By 1934, just a year after her debut, Gladys Bentley had to give up on her Broadway baby dreams, and she slunk back to Ubangi Club with her white coat tails between her legs. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Her biggest dramas, however, were yet to come. Her shocking lyrics were accompanied by gossip column stories that readers would have found equally shocking. While Harlem was home to African-Americans facing the challenges of the Great Depression, it also became a destination for pleasure-seekers who Wilson says were eager to let loose of their bourgeois attitudes. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. But theres something very disturbing about this story. 1960 deaths Bentley (surname) Gladys (given name) Births in Philadelphia Deaths in Los Angeles Female African American vocalists Deaths from pneumonia Drag kings Lesbian musicians LGBT musicians from the United States Musicians from Philadelphia Vocalists from New York City People of Harlem, Manhattan Harlem Renaissance If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Bentley didnt do anything by halves. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Before long, Bentleys world got turned upside down again. Try again. Gladys Bentley: 0: French: Gladys Bentley: chanteuse de blues amricaine: 0: Dutch: Gladys Bentley: Amerikaans zangeres (1907-1960) . Upon hearing the news, Elvis immediately returned to the hospital. 2013.46.25.15 Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture Elvis had an emergency opportunity to visit her, but she did not make it. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. She was frequently harassed for wearing men's clothing. Audience members started raving about her stage presence at the piano, so much so that the club even changed its name to Barbaras Exclusive Club to take the most advantage of Bentleys fame and notorietywhile they still could. Wilson also says that Bentley, who was aging and no stranger to reinvention, was likely making deft use of the press. Inside these hidden, smoky rooms, Bentley astounded and scandalized audiences with her booming voice, her impeccably tailored suits, and her raunchy lyrics. 1 reference. . An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Well, it backfired. Shed always been good at the piano, and heard through a friend one night that the notorious gay speakeasy the Clam House was looking for a pianist. Bentley was openly lesbian early in her career,[16] but during the McCarthy Era, she started wearing dresses and married (within five months of meeting) Charles Roberts, age 28, a cook, in a civil ceremony in Santa Barbara, California, in 1952. The teenage Bentley was in way over her head when she moved to Harlem, and she needed to find work, stat. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. Failed to report flower. At the time of her much-too-early death in 1960 from pneumonia at age 52, she was waiting to be ordained as a minister in the Temple of Love In Christ, Inc. Bentley, illustrator Prentiss Taylor, and singer Nora Holt . Gladys Alberta Bentley (12 Aug 1907 - certain 18 Jun 1960) 0 references . And then Mrs West returned to education - working towards a PhD . From early on, Bentley overtly included sexuality in her act with her song content, stage moves, and attire. Instance Of Rank; Q3. (Born on April 25, 1912, Gladys was actually 46 when she died.) As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. She was the oldest of four children and, in her own words, neither wanted nor loved, because her mother had wanted a boy and was bitterly disappointed. Before her death from pneumonia at the age of 52, Bentley appeared by most accounts to be very bold and confident. She had a recording contract for her raunchy songs, put out a series of records with her broad, booming voice, and was just positioning herself to take over the bright lights of Broadway. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 20072023 Blackpast.org. Heck, I volunteer as tribute. Bentley was the most popular and infamous speakeasy performer in Prohibition-era New York. Although some of the corpses were eventually found, it was impossible to prove the cause of death. When the ship hit an iceberg and sank, she became its youngest survivor. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. The hit show about a Yorkshire corner shop, which starred Ronnie. Bentley recalled dreaming and being infatuated with her primary school female teachers but did not understand those feelings until later on in her life. For one, while Bentley was a full-grown woman at 45 years old, Roberts was a measly 28 years old and not a match for her or her outsized reputation. But they werent all there for the right reasons. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Weve updated the security on the site. Let it play in the background as you study and immerse yourself in this topic! At the time of her death, she was 53 years old. It only got worse from there. Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. [26], In 2019, The New York Times newspaper began a series called "Overlooked No More," in which the editorial staff aims to correct a perceived bias in reporting by republishing obituaries for historical minorities and women. She went to Broadway anywaybut she would live to regret it. It was discovered that one of the contributing factors to the attack was liver failure due to alcohol poisoning. As times progressed and federal laws continued to change, there became a point where Bentley had to carry special permits to allow her to perform in men's clothing. Elvis Presley Cause of Death: How Did 'The King' Die? It's a woman, Wilson says. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. The details of this courtship, however, areshady. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Gladys Bentley Wiki, Biography, Age, Career, Relationship, Net Worth Not only did her own time not know what to do with her, but Bentleys impact is also still a hot topic now. Yet although the singer still brought the house down, her comeback only lasted three short years. At the time of her death she survived by her large extended friends and family. "Biblical Gender Bending in Harlem: The Queer Performance of Nugent's Salome. According to Bentley, one of the white customers came over, placed a crisp five-dollar bill in her hand, and begged her to play something else, saying, We dont care what it is. He was 77. Some pearl-clutching patrons complained, and the citys response was swift and brutal. Visitation . Funeral arrangements announced for Betsy Layne Elementary School teacher Please enter your email and password to sign in. Gladys Bentley knew how to live life to the fullest, and with her large, bodacious build and flashy sense of style, she had no problem getting women to fall into bed with her. Retiring in 1998, after a career spanning more than 40 years, she and Ira decided to mark this new era in their life by travelling. "Goodbye, darling. Was Gladys Presley an Alcoholic? Gladys Presley's Cause of Death She moved to speakeasies and night clubs in Jungle Alley, the center of Harlems sporting life. Try again later. By 1933, Bentley had parlayed her fame into country-wide domination. Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter. "She was always my best girl." At her funeral, Elvis was inconsolable. Bentley died on March 2 at Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center. Gladys Bentley, one of the most flamboyant blues entertainers of the 20th century, began performing in New York City as a singer and male impersonator. The cause of death was a heart attack, and it was later discovered that one of the contributing factors was liver failure due to alcohol poisoning. "It broke my heart," Elvis Presley said. For the Smithsonians Sidedoor podcast, host Haleema Shah tells the story of an unapologetically gay African-American performer in 1920s and 30s. That all changed in the blink of an eye. In Bentleys heyday of the 1930s, she owned a Park Avenue apartment with servants and other accoutrements of wealth. . Learn more about merges. Her performances at the Clam House attracted luminaries like poet Langston Hughes and the photographer Carl Van Vechten, who both sang her praises. The ploy worked a little too well. She took a seat at the piano on the set and performed a song that showed a vocal range and confidence that hadnt diminished since her days in Harlem. She sang her The red flags were there from the start when it came to Charles Roberts. cemeteries found in Carson, Los Angeles County, California, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. "Vernon Presley said he was aroused at 3 a.m. by his wife, Gladys, 'suffering for breath.' Bentley had great talent as a piano player, singer, and entertainer. "It broke my heart," Elvis Presley later said. Heck no. Still, Bentley had bigger dreams on her mind. Elvis' family didn't come from riches or anything of the sort. Celebrity OTE - Spring Arts Guide Daniel Kaluuya Digital. Gladyspassed away on month day1963, at age 54 at death place, Kentucky. Gladys Alberta Bentley was born on August 12, 1907, which makes her a Leo. Actress Lynda Baron, best known for her role as Nurse Gladys Emmanuel in BBC TV sitcom Open All Hours, has died at the age of 82. [27] Bentley was one of the featured obituaries in Overlooked No More. Jim Weatherly Dead at 77 - People In the early 1930s, she headlined at Harlem's Ubangi Club, where she was backed up by a chorus line of drag queens. She had been living in California with her mother and was waiting to be ordained as a minister in the Temple of Love in Christ, Inc. Today, she is being rediscovered for the same reason that her story was obscured during her youth. Roberts later denied that they had ever married. Though Bentley was in the process of finding herself, these discoveries only made her family more disgusted with her. She was the eldest of four children in a low-income family living at 1012 W. Euclid Ave. in North Philadelphia[4] and always felt unwanted or rejected because her mother desperately wanted her to have been born a boy: "When they told my mother she had given birth to a girl, she refused to touch me. By the 1950s, Gladys Bentley was making some even more rash decisions. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. We see a real change so that somebody who is identified as lesbian or gay is considered a national menace. She sang loud, and her vocal style was deep and booming, sometimes using a growling effect and imitations of a horn. Gladys Bentley, a luminary of the Harlem Renaissance, began her blues career singing at rent parties (held to raise rent money by charging attendees) and underground establishments in Harlem, New York.
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