They called Atlantic Records "the house that Ruth built" during the 1950s, and they weren't referring to the Sultan of Swat. Ruth Brown's regal hitmaking reign from 1949 to the close of the '50s helped tremendously to establish the New York label's predominance in the R&B field. Later, the business all but forgot her -- she was forced to toil as domestic help for a time -- but she returned to the top, her status as a postwar R&B pioneer (and tireless advocate for the rights and royalties of her peers) recognized worldwide. (AllMusic) On that basis, both Outstanding (artistically) and Significant (historically). File under: R&B Divas
Discography: Singles Albums Compilations
In the music library: City Of Dreams: Big Easy Blues: Go On Fool
The Leiber & Stoller Story - Volume 2 - On The Horizon 1956 - 1965: Lucky Lips
Links: Wikipedia AllMusic Discogs 45cat biography.com Rock & Roll Hall of Fame NPR Mental Itch
Obituary: New York Times