A few months ago, my mother sent an article over to me via email and said “I think you might like this for you blog”. I opened it up and it was a small article on a Canadian woman named Ruth Lowe (who I had never heard of). It was a very interesting read about her life, her famous song “I’ll Never Smile Again”. and how she played a BIG part in Frank Sinatra’s success. Indeed a perfect post to share with my readers and today friends…..is that day.

Meet the beautiful & talented Ruth Lowe.

Vintage 1940s Photo of singer Ruth Lowe-I will never smile again.

Vintage Image of Singer Ruth Lowe - I will never smile again.

And now please take a moment to acquaint yourself with her song “I’ll never smile again” (Link to video).

For further reading please check out all the posts I have done on the subject, “Women of the Big Band Era Everyone Should Know“. (Jan 2024 update)

Ruth Lowe-The Canadian Woman Behind “I’ll Never Smile Again”

Ruth’s Earlier Years:

Born in Toronto, August 12th, 1914 to US-Canadian parents.
They moved to California when she was very young and she lived there during her early teens.
The family returned to Toronto with only the piano after her fathers grocery business went sour during the depression. The same piano that Ruth and her sister Mickey had learned to play on.
After her father died, Ruth quit school at 16 and found a job in the ‘Song Shop’ where she demonstrated sheet music on the piano. This trade was called “Song Plugging” and if customers liked what Ruth played (plugged) they would take it home to learn.
During her evenings, Ruth played in a very intricate two piano act with her friend Sair Lee at various nightclubs.
One day while at the store, Lowe heard that the famous all-female Ina Ray Hutton Orchestra (The Melodears) needed a piano replacement for their 1935 appearance in Toronto. She got the job and so impressed Hutton that she ended up touring the United States with the orchestra for a few years after (Source).

Here is a clip from 1936 “Doin’ the Suzie Q”, that I believe should feature Ruth on the piano. Can we also take a moment to be in awe of Ina’s outfit…wow! (Video Link)

How the song “I’ll Never Smile Again” came to be:

While traveling with the Melodears in 1938 in Chicago, Ruth met Harold Cohen a music publicist and fell madly in love. They were married and lived happily until a year later Harold died tragically during surgery*. Ruth returned home to Toronto devastated and during this grief she penned “I’ll Never Smile Again”.

Lowe told the Toronto Daily Star in 1940 that the ballad “seemed to fill my head and guide my fingers as I picked it out on the piano (Source)”.

Here are the sad words Ruth Lowe wrote:

I’ll never smile again until I smile at you
I’ll never laugh again what good would it do
For tears would fill my eyes
My heart would realize that our romance is through
I’ll never love again I’m so in love with you
I’ll never thrill again
To somebody new within my heart
I know I will never start to smile again
Until I smile at you
Within my heart I know
I will never start to smile again
Until I smile at you.

Song Success and Frank Sinatra:

Life went on and Ruth found herself working as an accompanist at the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), where she passed on the sheet music to the song to Toronto composer-conductor Percy Faith. Percy would later record the song for his CBC radio program ‘Music By Faith’. The Song made it’s official Debut!

It was not till a few months later though when the famous Big Band leader Tommy Dorsey was performing at the 1939 Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) that Lowe (who wanted to take her song to the next level) took matters into her own hands. Lowe waited — acetate recording in hand — by the musicians’ tent for her friend, a guitarist with the band, who arranged a meeting with the New York bandleader at the Royal York Hotel (Source).

One year later Dorsey who liked the song and thought it had some merit, decided to test out on a ‘Coming-Out’ number for Frank Sinatra, who had joined the orchestra as their new vocalist.

Frank Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey 1940s vintage image

The recording, of “I’ll Never Smile Again,” was released on May 23rd, 1940 (as heard in the version I posted above).

Frank Sinatra Ruth Lowe and Tommy Dorsey - 1940s vintage photo — Frank Sinatra, Ruth Lowe and Tommy Dorsey. Source: National Post (& Tom Lowe Sandler)

The Song was a SUCCESS! It was No. 1 track on the very first Billboard sales chart in 1940 (seen below) and it propelled Sinatra into Super Stardom that would carry on for decades.

Lowe told her son (Tom Sandler) that the timing — it was the beginning of the Second World War — was key to her success. “It was a song that spoke to everyone in the country,” he says. “Their loves were going to war and most of them weren’t coming back” (Source).

First billboard Chart 1940 — Source: Billboard

After this success, Ruth was approached by Sinatra in 1942 to write a closing song for his radio program. The song she wrote was “Put Your Dreams Away”, which would go on to become Frank’s Signature Song (Video Link).

Life after Frank…

Ruth married Nat Sandler and happily settled into married life and kids in Toronto. She continued to write songs and play the piano, but her day’s of traveling with orchestras and pushing for her music to be produced were behind her.

In 1955 one of the most popular television shows at the time, “This is Your Life,” devoted a full segment to Ruth Lowe. She was loved that much by the public.

Ruth passed away on January 4th, 1981 at the age of 66. In 1982 her 1940’s “I’ll Never Smile Again” received an honorary Grammy and in 2003 she was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame

In the end Ruth’s greatest tragedy ended up bringing her career success and a place in history. The only thing left is for Ruth to have greater distinction in the Canadian music world. Her son Tom is pushing for her to receive a star on the Canadian Walk of Fame and to also be acknowledged by the Junos (The Canadian Grammy’s). I could not agree more and I do hope it happens sooner then later.

Thank you for the music Ruth.

UPDATE: NEW BOOK TO READ! Until I Smile At You by Peter Jennings. Peter was chosen by the family of Ruth to write this book, so this is going to be the best insight to Ruth out there. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE.

FURTHER READING:

Liz

*Other sources have said that Ruth’s husband died after 2 years of marriage

One of my all time favourite singers is Ruth Brown, like I really really love Ruth. Her music from the 1950s (and beyond) is just outstanding and since it’s ‘Women’s History Month‘, I thought it would be the right time to finally do a post all about Ruth…..the legendary R&B singer who built Atlantic Records aka “The House That Ruth Built”.

1950s vintage photo of R&B Singer, Ruth Brown in 1955 in a beautiful 1950s dress.

Before we get into all things Ruth, we are going to start with my favourite song of all time…’Lucky Lips‘ from 1957. I could dance to this song, 50 times over in a night. It’s SO GOOD! Enjoy!

About: The song was her second hit on the US pop chart, after “(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean” in 1953, reaching number 25 on the pop chart and number 6 on the Billboard R&B chart (source). (video link)

Ruth Brown’s Early Life

Ruth Alson Weston was born Jan. 12, 1928, in Portsmouth, Virginia, and was the oldest of seven children. Her introduction to music was from her father, a church choir director (and dockhand), who wanted to make sure that Brown was steered away from “the devil’s music”. This devotion to God like music was not going to last for Ruth though, who in her teens would sneak away to play at USO clubs and clubs. She was inspired initially by jazz chanteuses Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, and Dinah Washington.

“No, I was a bad girl,” she says. “What saved me was my daddy worked at the shipyard and his hours changed to where he was working nights, 4 to 12. When I got out of school I would run home long enough for him to see I was in the house before he’d leave. As soon as he’d bend the corner, I’d be flying back to the USO. But it was like a Cinderella story because I always had to get back in before 12.”
–The Washington Post–

In 1945, aged 17, Brown ran away from her home in Portsmouth along with the trumpeter Jimmy Brown, whom she soon married (this is where she became ‘Ruth Brown’), to sing in bars and clubs. She then spent a month with Lucky Millinder’s Orchestra (who fired her for some silly reason) (Source).

1950s vintage photo of R&B Singer, Ruth Brown in a 1950s Dress posing for a publicity photo.

Early Career / Discovery

The firing by the Lucky Millinder’s Orchestra, stranded Ruth in Washington where she was taken in by Blanche Calloway, sister of Cab and owner of the nearby Crystal Caverns, one of the town’s hottest nightclubs in Washington DC.

Blanche put her to work for tips when one night, Willis Conover, the future Voice of America disc jockey, caught her act with Duke Ellington and recommended her to Atlantic Records bosses Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Soon after, Atlantic Records offered her contract (first female artist) and a debut concert at the Apollo in New York City (and a manager in Blanche).

HOWEVER……..En route to New York to sign the contract and perform at the Apollo, Brown was in a car accident that crushed her legs. She signed a contract with Atlantic in 1949 from her hospital bed. She spent months recovering and had to wear leg braces for a time afterward (source). Ruth’s husband would abandon her during this difficult time.

Atlantic Records Success

With the accident somewhat behind her (some sources said she was still in braces during early recordings), Brown releases her first recording, “So Long” in 1949. Abetted by Atlantic’s cofounder Herb Abramson and songwriter Rudy Toombs. It went to No. 4 on the R&B chart (source).

(video link)

Initially, Brown recorded mainly ballads and jazz standards but her second hit, 1950’s “Teardrops From My Eyes,” marked a firm turn in her style toward the “hot” rhythmic style for which she became famous (source).

The song went to No. 1 for 11 weeks and it went on to became her signature song. Soon she was known as “the girl with the tear in her voice,” a reference to the “squeak” she made on her high notes, as if her voice was breaking with emotion (source).

The Crooner Frankie Laine christened her “Miss Rhythm” in 1951 after this huge hit.

1950s album cover for Ruth Brown-Miss Rhythm in 1959 featuring Ruth on the cover in a 1950s dress.

Source: Discogs

Video: “Teardrops From My Eyes”. Live 1954 Performance from a Rhythm & Blues Revue.

She followed up this hit with “I’ll Wait for You” (1951), “I Know” (1951), “5-10-15 Hours” (1953), “(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean” (1953), “Oh What a Dream” (1954), “Mambo Baby” (1954), and “Don’t Deceive Me” (1960), some of which were credited to Ruth Brown and the Rhythm Makers.

Video: Ruth Brown – “Hey Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean” (Live) (video link)

Between 1949 and 1955, her records stayed on the R&B chart for a total of 149 weeks; she would go on to score 21 Top 10 hits all together, including five that landed at number one. Brown ranked No. 1 on The Billboard 1954 Disk Jockey Poll for Favorite R&B Artists (source).

1950s vintage photo of R & B Singer, Ruth Brown-Publicity Photo.

She toured ceaselessly throughout the South, and her popularity was surely helped by her vibrant stage presence. Her big eyes, expressive body language and joyful smile. Atlantic soon became known as “The House that Ruth Built.” due to the big earnings this young label was now bringing in (source).

1950s vintage photo of R&B singer, Ruth Brown performing a concert for young 1950s teens.

Her first pop hit came with “Lucky Lips” (my favourite), a song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and was recorded in 1957. The single reached number 6 on the R&B chart and number 25 on the U.S. pop chart. The 1958 follow-up was “This Little Girl’s Gone Rockin“, written by Bobby Darin and Mann Curtis. It reached number 7 on the R&B chart and number 24 on the pop chart.

She had further hits with “I Don’t Know” in 1959 and “Don’t Deceive Me” in 1960, which were more successful on the R&B chart than on the pop chart (source).

1950s vintage concert poster for Ruth Brown at the Mambo Feb 1st featuring Ruth in a stunning 1950s dress.

End of a Historic Relationship

Ruth may have built Atlantic Records, but Atlantic didn’t pass the wealth on down to Brown. She was required to pay for touring and recording costs out of pocket (Labels not only scrimped on Black artists’ fees, but also charged them unaccounted “production costs”, which were held against payments for their reissued material (source)). When Atlantic ended their professional relationship in the early 1960s, Brown had no savings to fall back on. She moved to Long Island, New York, and spent a decade and a half working a series of low-paying jobs, often as a single mother. Her recordings fell into obscurity (source).

1970’s Resurgence

Vintage 1970s/1980s photo of Singer Ruth Brown

She returned to music in 1975 at the urging of the comedian Redd Foxx, followed by a series of comedic acting jobs. This launched her career in TV, film, and stage. Roles included playing, DJ Motormouth Maybelle in John Waters’ 1988 Hairspray…..

(video link)

A Tony-Award winning performance in ‘Black And Blue‘ (a musical revue celebrating the Black culture of dance and music in Paris between World War I and World War II).

Video: Ruth Brown wins 1989 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical (video link).

and a Grammy-winning 1990 album, ‘Blues on Broadway’ (best jazz vocal performance, female).

(video link)

Ruth Brown was also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

Video: Ruth Brown accepts Hall of Fame Award at the 1993 Inductions (video link).

Ruth Gets the Last Laugh

Brown then used her new fame to leverage Atlantic Records into paying back her royalties. Supported by the Rev Jesse Jackson, they persuaded Atlantic and its owner Warner Communications to change the system (more details below).

Brown received $20,000 and was forgiven all “debts”. The royalty payments system was then reformed to favour pioneering artists, and other labels followed, including the conglomerate MCA. Atlantic also agreed to contribute $1.5m to launch the Rhythm & Blues Foundation—a non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial and medical assistance to musicians as well as educational outreach and other efforts to preserve the cultural legacy of rhythm and blues (source).

More Ruth Brown Successes

She is also the reason that R&B music had a pop music style to it’s sound during the 1950s.
She hosted the radio program Blues Stage, carried by more than 200 NPR affiliates, for six years, starting in 1989
1989: Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Award
Inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in 1992
Her 1995 autobiography, “Miss Rhythm”, won the Gleason Award for music journalism.
Toured with Bonnie Raitt in the late 1990s.
Nominated for another Grammy in the Traditional Blues category for her 1997 album, R + B = Ruth Brown
2016: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
2017: Inducted into National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame (source)

Ruth passed away November 17th, 2006.

Final Words

Brown was a musical pioneer — so why is her early R&B work not better known? NPR, said it best….

Much of this has to do with the racial and genre segregation and sexist double-standards of the music industry. Before Billboard renamed its “Rhythm and Blues” chart, its name, “Race Music,” denoted songs by and for Black people. So while today, Brown’s music might sound indistinguishable from early rock ‘n’ roll, white audiences of her era didn’t see it that way. Brown even said herself that R&B became rock ‘n’ roll “when the white kids started to dance to it.” And while Brown’s singles repeatedly hit the top of the R&B charts, they rarely crossed over onto the pop chart — but when white performers covered her songs, they often scored the pop chart successes in her stead. Patti Page’s version of “What A Dream,” for example, made it to No. 10 on the pop charts, while Brown’s version, though it reached No. 1 in R&B, never made a mark elsewhere on the charts. The early stars of rock ‘n’ roll, too, were all men. It wasn’t until 1962 that a solo black woman artist — Motown’s Mary Wells — would break into the Billboard top ten with a recognizably rock ‘n’ roll tune.

In some ways, it seems that Brown’s later career — more focused on blues, jazz and show tunes — has eclipsed her early career. But those chart-topping contributions to the canon of American popular music should not be forgotten. With her backbeat-heavy sound and saucy vocal style, the fabulous Miss Rhythm broke new ground as a truly exceptional artist.
NPR-Forebears: Ruth Brown, The Fabulous Miss Rhythm

Source: Deezer

Well readers, I really hope you enjoyed learning all about Ruth Brown. I loved putting this post together and learning a lot of new things about my favourite artist.

Please share any thoughts on this topic in the comments section below. I love hearing from my readers.

Further Reading: Vintage Women’s History Archived Blog Posts 1920s-1960s

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz

Searching for "Ruth Lowe"