Nora Bayes
PerformerName
Nora Bayes
About
Nora Bayes, born Rachel Goldberg, was one of the most popular singers in vaudeville and sang many types of songs, specializing in ethnic and racial characterizations and often commenting on musical fads and trends of the time. Bayes studied voice in Europe, and was known for her contralto vocal range. At the age of 27, was sought out by Florence Ziegfeld to perform in his “Follies of 1907,” which she toured with in England and Europe.
Bayes was known for her unwavering personality. She often resisted being controlled by her managers, and advocated for higher pay, with varied results. She also was able to make fun of herself on stage, something that was endearing to the audience; laughing about her five failed marriages. The public was seemingly obsessed with Bayes’s sexual life, something she used to her advantage, especially incorporating her personal life into her song “The Wedding Blues.”
Like other white singers of the time, Bayes performed the blues; in 1919, recording Al Sweet’s “Prohibition Blues” for Columbia Records, as well as the aforementioned “Wedding Blues.” White composers and musicians looked to profit from the success of the blues.
Bayes was known for her unwavering personality. She often resisted being controlled by her managers, and advocated for higher pay, with varied results. She also was able to make fun of herself on stage, something that was endearing to the audience; laughing about her five failed marriages. The public was seemingly obsessed with Bayes’s sexual life, something she used to her advantage, especially incorporating her personal life into her song “The Wedding Blues.”
Like other white singers of the time, Bayes performed the blues; in 1919, recording Al Sweet’s “Prohibition Blues” for Columbia Records, as well as the aforementioned “Wedding Blues.” White composers and musicians looked to profit from the success of the blues.
Role(s)
Performer
Birth date
October 3, 1800
Death date
March 19, 1928
Genre
Nora Bayes, born Rachel Goldberg, was one of the most popular singers in vaudeville and sang many types of songs, specializing in ethnic and racial characterizations and often commenting on musical fads and trends of the time. Bayes studied voice in Europe, and was known for her contralto vocal range. At the age of 27, was sought out by Florence Ziegfeld to perform in his “Follies of 1907,” which she toured with in England and Europe.
Bayes was known for her unwavering personality. She often resisted being controlled by her managers, and advocated for higher pay, with varied results. She also was able to make fun of herself on stage, something that was endearing to the audience; laughing about her five failed marriages. The public was seemingly obsessed with Bayes’s sexual life, something she used to her advantage, especially incorporating her personal life into her song “The Wedding Blues.”
Like other white singers of the time, Bayes performed the blues; in 1919, recording Al Sweet’s “Prohibition Blues” for Columbia Records, as well as the aforementioned “Wedding Blues.” White composers and musicians looked to profit from the success of the blues.
Bayes was known for her unwavering personality. She often resisted being controlled by her managers, and advocated for higher pay, with varied results. She also was able to make fun of herself on stage, something that was endearing to the audience; laughing about her five failed marriages. The public was seemingly obsessed with Bayes’s sexual life, something she used to her advantage, especially incorporating her personal life into her song “The Wedding Blues.”
Like other white singers of the time, Bayes performed the blues; in 1919, recording Al Sweet’s “Prohibition Blues” for Columbia Records, as well as the aforementioned “Wedding Blues.” White composers and musicians looked to profit from the success of the blues.
