Portsmouth’s own Ruth Brown passed away Friday at the age of 78. Brown was an R&B singer most popular in the 1950s.
Two years ago, I attended a concert of hers at the historic Attucks Theater. Although I am a fan of the music of that era, Brown was not one of the singers I was intimately familiar with. Nevertheless, with so many of these singers either no longer performing or dead, I jumped at the chance to hear her. I was not disappointed. Brown came on stage and gave a tremendous performance.
The audience that night included many dignitaries of the area. Seated in front of me was Rep. Bobby Scott, fresh off his victory over Republican challenger Winsome Sears. Several times, the audience gave her a standing ovation. Brown performed her entire program that evening sitting on a stool. The performance was recorded as a part of a documentary on her life.
May she rest in peace.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Ruth Brown is one of the crown jewels of Portsmouth….
For such a small town Portsmouth has birthed some great ones….
Now Missy Elliott will be carrying the torch for Portsmouth.
Ruth Brown is going to be missed. The world is a much better place because she graced it.
Thanks for sharing this Vivian.
buzz…buzz…
She was awesome. There’s only one video of her on YouTube and Crooks and Liars posted it. She was a true star.