Died On This Date (October 3, 1976) Victoria Spivey / Early Blues Great
Victoria Spivey
October 15, 1906 – October 3, 1976

Victoria Spivey was a Houston born blues singer who came to prominence in the 1930s. Her career began with her singing at local parties and clubs while still in her teens. Before she knew it she was sharing the stage or singing on records with the likes of Blind Lemon Jefferson, Louis Armstrong and King Oliver. Spivey transitioned to film during the ’30s, appearing in such movies as Hallelujah!. She retired from show business in 1951, but made a comeback during the folk revival of the early ’60s. During her later career she recorded with the likes such greats as Otis Rush, Otis Spann, Willie Dixon, and even Bob Dylan who played harmonica and sang back-up on a 1962 recording. Victoria Spivey died of an internal hemorrhage at the age of 69.
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