Jump to content

Linda Hopkins: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
intro fix
 
(43 intermediate revisions by 24 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American actress and singer}}
{{Refimprove|date=April 2017}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2017}}
{{For|the adult film actress whose real name is Linda Hopkins|Tera Patrick}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name = Linda Hopkins
| name = Linda Hopkins
| image = Book Cover Photo.jpg
| image = Linda Hopkins - Book Cover Photo.jpg
| caption = Linda Hopkins in concert
| caption = Linda Hopkins in concert
| image_size =
| image_size =
Line 20: Line 22:
}}
}}


'''Linda Hopkins''' (December 14, 1924&nbsp;– April 10, 2017)<ref name="HWOF">{{cite web |url=http://hwof.mobi/star/live-theatre/linda-hopkins/1530?switcher=true |title=Linda Hopkins |author= |date= |work=The Hollywood Walk of Fame |publisher=Hwof.mobi/star |accessdate=September 2, 2011}}</ref> was an American actress and [[blues]] and [[Gospel music|gospel]] singer. She recorded classic, traditional, and urban blues, and performed R&B and soul, jazz, and show tunes.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |first= |last= |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p10794/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Biography by Ron Wynn |publisher=Allmusic.com |accessdate=September 2, 2011}}</ref>
'''Linda Hopkins''' (born '''Melinda Helen Matthews'''; December 14, 1924&nbsp;– April 10, 2017)<ref name="HWOF">{{cite web |url=http://hwof.com/star/live-theatre/linda-hopkins/1530?switcher=true |title=Linda Hopkins |work=The Hollywood Walk of Fame |publisher=Hwof.com/star |access-date=September 2, 2011}}</ref> was an American actress and [[blues]] and [[Gospel music|gospel]] singer. She recorded classic, traditional, and urban blues, and performed R&B and soul, jazz, and show tunes.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p10794/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Biography by Ron Wynn |publisher=Allmusic.com |access-date=September 2, 2011}}</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
Born '''Melinda Helen Matthews''' in [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], [[United States]],<ref name="HWOF"/> the second child of the Reverend Fred Matthews, Sr. and Hazel Smith, Hopkins grew up in the section of New Orleans known by the locals as "Zion City". She went to school in "Gert Town" which bordered the [[Xavier University of Louisiana]].
Hopkins was born in [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], [[United States]],<ref name="HWOF"/> the second child of the Reverend Fred Matthews, Sr. and Hazel Smith, Hopkins grew up in the section of New Orleans known by the locals as "Zion City". She went to school in "Gert Town" which bordered the [[Xavier University of Louisiana]].


Known as "Lil Helen Matthews" as a child, she was discovered at the age of eleven by [[Mahalia Jackson]] when she persuaded Jackson to perform at a fundraiser at her home church, St. Mark's Baptist Church. Lil Helen opened the children's fundraising program with a rendition of Jackson's gospel hit, "God Shall Wipe Your Tears Away". Jackson was reportedly so impressed by Helen's determination and talent that she arranged for the young girl to join the Southern Harp Spiritual Singers in 1936. Hopkins remained with the group for a decade.
Known as "Lil Helen Matthews" as a child, she was discovered at the age of eleven by [[Mahalia Jackson]] when she persuaded Jackson to perform at a fundraiser at her home church, St. Mark's Baptist Church. Lil Helen opened the children's fundraising program with a rendition of Jackson's gospel hit, "God Shall Wipe Your Tears Away". Jackson was reportedly so impressed by Helen's determination and talent that she arranged for the young girl to join the Southern Harp Spiritual Singers in 1936. Hopkins remained with the group for a decade.


She first saw [[Bessie Smith]] perform ''Empty Bed Blues'' at The New Orleans Palace Theatre in 1936. Hopkins greatly admired Smith and later won critical plaudits for her rendition of Smith in the 1959 theatrical presentation ''Jazz Train''.<ref name="AMG"/> Matthews left [[New Orleans]] in the 1950s, and, in 1951, began performing at Slim Jenkin's Night Club in the [[Oakland, California|Oakland]]/[[Richmond, California|Richmond]] area. There she met [[Johnny Otis]] and [[Esther Phillips|Little Esther Phillips]] who created her stage name, Linda Hopkins.<ref name="HWOF"/> In 1952, Hopkins toured [[Hawaii]] and [[Japan]] for two years which included a stint with [[Louis Armstrong]] at The Brown Derby in [[Honolulu]]. She recorded for the Crystalette, Forecast, Federal and Atco labels and often appeared at the [[Apollo Theatre]] in [[Harlem]].<ref name="HWOF"/>
She first saw [[Bessie Smith]] perform ''Empty Bed Blues'' at The New Orleans Palace Theatre in 1936. Hopkins greatly admired Smith and later won critical plaudits for her rendition of Smith in the 1959 theatrical presentation ''Jazz Train''.<ref name="AMG"/> Matthews left [[New Orleans]] in the 1950s, and, in 1951, began performing at Slim Jenkins' Night Club in the [[Oakland, California|Oakland]]/[[Richmond, California|Richmond]] area. There she met [[Johnny Otis]] and [[Esther Phillips|Little Esther Phillips]] who created her stage name, Linda Hopkins.<ref name="HWOF"/> In 1952, Hopkins toured [[Hawaii]] and [[Japan]] for two years which included a stint with [[Louis Armstrong]] at The Brown Derby in [[Honolulu]]. She recorded for the [[Savoy Records|Savoy]], Crystalette, Forecast, [[Federal Records|Federal]] and [[Atco Records|Atco]] labels and often appeared at the [[Apollo Theatre]] in [[Harlem]].<ref name="HWOF"/>


In 1960, Hopkins first toured Europe in the ''Broadway Express'', the restaged production of ''Jazz Train''. She recorded "[[Shake a Hand]]" with [[Jackie Wilson]] on the Brunswick label, which is her sole hit single reaching #21 on the [[United States|US]] ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]] [[record chart|chart]].<ref name="AMG"/> She also attended [[Stella Adler]]'s Acting School in [[New York City]].<ref name="HWOF"/>
In 1960, Hopkins first toured Europe in the ''Broadway Express'', the restaged production of ''Jazz Train''. She recorded "[[Shake a Hand]]" with [[Jackie Wilson]] on the [[Brunswick Records|Brunswick]] label, which is her sole hit single reaching #21 on the [[United States|US]] ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]] [[record chart|chart]].<ref name="AMG"/> She also recorded "I Found Love" and "There's Nothing Like Love" with him on Brunswick in early 1962. She attended [[Stella Adler]]'s Acting School in [[New York City]].<ref name="HWOF"/>


During the 1970s, Hopkins performed in the Broadway musical, ''[[Purlie]]'', and with [[Sammy Davis, Jr.]] for nine months. In addition, she performed at President Jimmy Carter's 1977 inaugural ball. In 1972 she was awarded a [[Tony Award|Tony]] and [[Drama Desk Award]] for her performance in ''Inner City''.<ref name="HWOF"/>
During the 1970s, Hopkins performed in the Broadway musical, ''[[Purlie]]'', and with [[Sammy Davis Jr.]] for nine months. In addition, she performed at President Jimmy Carter's 1977 inaugural ball. In 1972 she was awarded a [[Tony Award|Tony]] and [[Drama Desk Award]] for her performance in ''Inner City''.<ref name="HWOF"/> She sang "Do You Believe" at the political event [[Star-Spangled Women for McGovern–Shriver]], bringing 19,000 people to their feet.<ref name=Roxon>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/465607728/ |last=Roxon |first=Lillian |author-link=Lillian Roxon |date=November 5, 1972 |title=A New Role for Women in Rock? |newspaper=The Daily News |location=New York City |page=385 }}</ref>


Hopkins starred in ''[[Me and Bessie]]'', a one-woman show paying homage to [[blues]] singer [[Bessie Smith]], conceived and written by Hopkins and [[Will Holt]]. The world premiere was in [[Washington, D.C.]] in 1974. After a run in [[Los Angeles]] it transferred to the [[Ambassador Theatre (New York City)|Ambassador Theatre]] on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]. The critically acclaimed show ran for thirteen months and 453 performances, and Hopkins was nominated for the [[Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience]].<ref name="HWOF"/>
Hopkins starred in ''[[Me and Bessie]]'', a one-woman show paying homage to [[blues]] singer [[Bessie Smith]], conceived and written by Hopkins and [[Will Holt]]. The world premiere was in [[Washington, D.C.]], in 1974. After a run in [[Los Angeles]] it transferred to the [[Ambassador Theatre (New York City)|Ambassador Theatre]] on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]. The critically acclaimed show ran for thirteen months and 453 performances, and Hopkins was nominated for the [[Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience]].<ref name="HWOF"/>


In 1985, ''[[Black and Blue (musical)|Black and Blue]]'', written by Claudio Segovia and Hector Orezzoli, premiered in Paris at the Théâtre Musical Paris. The musical revue opened on Broadway in 1989 and ran for 829 performances. Hopkins received a [[Tony Award]] nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical. ''Wild Women Blues'', conceived by Hopkins and produced by Mel Howard and created by Hopkins and William Lipscomb, premiered in Berlin in 1997. In 1998 Hopkins celebrated 50 years in show business.
In 1985, ''[[Black and Blue (musical)|Black and Blue]]'', written by Claudio Segovia and Hector Orezzoli, premiered in Paris at the Théâtre Musical Paris. The musical revue opened on Broadway in 1989 and ran for 829 performances. Hopkins received a [[Tony Award]] nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical. ''Wild Women Blues'', conceived by Hopkins and produced by Mel Howard and created by Hopkins and William Lipscomb, premiered in Berlin in 1997. In 1998 Hopkins celebrated 50 years in show business.
Line 39: Line 41:
In 2005, ''Motherin' The Blues: Linda Hopkins&nbsp;— The Continuing Legacy of The Blues Woman'', researched and written by Erany Barrow-Pryor, Ph.D. through the Department of English at University of California, Los Angeles, was published.<ref>Barrow-Pryor, Erany. ''Motherin' The Blues: Linda Hopkins&nbsp;— The Continuing Legacy of The Blues Woman''. Ann Arbor, Michigan: ProQuest, 2005. This dissertation is forthcoming in 2009 as a published monograph ([[OmniScriptum|VDM Verlag]])</ref>
In 2005, ''Motherin' The Blues: Linda Hopkins&nbsp;— The Continuing Legacy of The Blues Woman'', researched and written by Erany Barrow-Pryor, Ph.D. through the Department of English at University of California, Los Angeles, was published.<ref>Barrow-Pryor, Erany. ''Motherin' The Blues: Linda Hopkins&nbsp;— The Continuing Legacy of The Blues Woman''. Ann Arbor, Michigan: ProQuest, 2005. This dissertation is forthcoming in 2009 as a published monograph ([[OmniScriptum|VDM Verlag]])</ref>


In October 2005, Hopkins received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref name="HWOF"/>
In October 2005, Hopkins received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref name="HWOF"/>


Hopkins died in [[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]] on April 10, 2017 at the age of 92.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soultracks.com/story-linda-hopkins-dies |title=Legendary Gospel and Blues singer Linda Hopkins dies at 92 &#124; SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews |website=SoulTracks.com |date= |accessdate=2017-04-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/11/arts/music/linda-hopkins-died-gospel-singer-on-broadway.html?_r=0|title=Linda Hopkins, Tony Award-winning actress and singer, dies at 92|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=April 11, 2017|date=April 11, 2017}}</ref>
Hopkins died in [[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]], on April 10, 2017, at the age of 92.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soultracks.com/story-linda-hopkins-dies |title=Legendary Gospel and Blues singer Linda Hopkins dies at 92 &#124; SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews |website=SoulTracks.com |date=11 April 2017 |access-date=2017-04-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/11/arts/music/linda-hopkins-died-gospel-singer-on-broadway.html?_r=0|title=Linda Hopkins, Tony Award-winning actress and singer, dies at 92|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=April 11, 2017|date=April 11, 2017}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
* ''Shake a Hand'' with Jackie Wilson (Brunswick, 1963)
* 1976 ''Me and Bessie'' ([[Columbia Records|Columbia]])
* ''Linda Hopkins'' (RCA Victor, 1972)
* 1982 ''How Blue Can You Get'' ([[Palo Alto Records|Palo Alto]])
* 1994 ''Here's the Kid'' ([[PolyGram]])
* ''Me and Bessie'' (Columbia, 1976)
* 1999 ''Wild Women Blues'' (Ais)
* ''How Blue Can You Get'' (Palo Alto, 1983)
* 2006 ''The Living Legend Live!'' (Free Ham)
* ''Here's the Kid: Live in Sesjun'' (Jazz Between the Dikes, 1994)
* ''Mel Howard Presents: Wild Women Blues'' (DRG, 1999)
* ''The Living Legend Live!'' (FreeHam, 2006)


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
*2002: ''Cool Cat Theme Song'' with Derek Savage Productions <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dereksavage.com/coolcat.htm|title=Cool Cat Loves You|last1=Savage|first1=Derek|date=|website=Savage Productions|publisher=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*2002: ''Cool Cat Theme Song'' with Derek Savage Productions <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dereksavage.com/coolcat.htm|title=Cool Cat Loves You|last1=Savage|first1=Derek|website=Savage Productions}}</ref>
*2003: ''Trolly the Trout Theme Song'' with Derek Savage Productions <ref>{{cite web|last1=Savage|first1=Derek|title=Trolly The Trout|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWL26PiltLg|website=youtube|publisher=Derek Sage}}</ref>
*2003: ''Trolly the Trout Theme Song'' with Derek Savage Productions <ref>{{cite web|last1=Savage|first1=Derek|title=Trolly The Trout|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWL26PiltLg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/IWL26PiltLg |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|website=youtube|publisher=Derek Sage}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
*2009: ''Linda Hopkins: Deep in the Night'' with [[Eddie Harris]] and [[Paul Smith (pianist)|Paul Smith]]
*2009: ''Linda Hopkins: Deep in the Night'' with [[Eddie Harris]] and [[Paul Smith (pianist)|Paul Smith]]


Line 65: Line 69:
* {{AllMusic|artist/linda-hopkins-mn0000300881}}
* {{AllMusic|artist/linda-hopkins-mn0000300881}}


{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Linda Hopkins
|list =
{{NAACP Image Award – Hall of Fame Award}}
{{TonyAward MusicalFeaturedActress}}
{{TonyAward MusicalFeaturedActress}}
}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


Line 72: Line 82:
[[Category:2017 deaths]]
[[Category:2017 deaths]]
[[Category:Actresses from New Orleans]]
[[Category:Actresses from New Orleans]]
⚫
[[Category:African-American singers]]
[[Category:American blues singers]]
[[Category:American blues singers]]
⚫
[[Category:American female singers]]
[[Category:American gospel singers]]
[[Category:American gospel singers]]
[[Category:Drama Desk Award winners]]
[[Category:Drama Desk Award winners]]
[[Category:Musicians from New Orleans]]
[[Category:Singers from New Orleans]]
[[Category:Palo Alto Records artists]]
[[Category:Palo Alto Records artists]]
⚫
[[Category:Singers from Louisiana]]
[[Category:Tony Award winners]]
[[Category:Tony Award winners]]
[[Category:Baptists from the United States]]
[[Category:Baptists from Louisiana]]
⚫
[[Category:Baptists from New York (state)]]
[[Category:20th-century Baptists]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American women singers]]
⚫
[[Category:20th-century American women singers]]
⚫
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American women]]

Latest revision as of 03:45, 4 April 2024

For the adult film actress whose real name is Linda Hopkins, see Tera Patrick.
Linda Hopkins
Linda Hopkins in concert
Linda Hopkins in concert
Background information
Birth nameMelinda Helen Matthews
Born(1924-12-14)December 14, 1924
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedApril 10, 2017(2017-04-10) (aged 92)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
GenresBlues[1]
Occupation(s)Singer
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1951–2017

Linda Hopkins (born Melinda Helen Matthews; December 14, 1924 – April 10, 2017)[2] was an American actress and blues and gospel singer. She recorded classic, traditional, and urban blues, and performed R&B and soul, jazz, and show tunes.[1]

Biography[edit]

Hopkins was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States,[2] the second child of the Reverend Fred Matthews, Sr. and Hazel Smith, Hopkins grew up in the section of New Orleans known by the locals as "Zion City". She went to school in "Gert Town" which bordered the Xavier University of Louisiana.

Known as "Lil Helen Matthews" as a child, she was discovered at the age of eleven by Mahalia Jackson when she persuaded Jackson to perform at a fundraiser at her home church, St. Mark's Baptist Church. Lil Helen opened the children's fundraising program with a rendition of Jackson's gospel hit, "God Shall Wipe Your Tears Away". Jackson was reportedly so impressed by Helen's determination and talent that she arranged for the young girl to join the Southern Harp Spiritual Singers in 1936. Hopkins remained with the group for a decade.

She first saw Bessie Smith perform Empty Bed Blues at The New Orleans Palace Theatre in 1936. Hopkins greatly admired Smith and later won critical plaudits for her rendition of Smith in the 1959 theatrical presentation Jazz Train.[1] Matthews left New Orleans in the 1950s, and, in 1951, began performing at Slim Jenkins' Night Club in the Oakland/Richmond area. There she met Johnny Otis and Little Esther Phillips who created her stage name, Linda Hopkins.[2] In 1952, Hopkins toured Hawaii and Japan for two years which included a stint with Louis Armstrong at The Brown Derby in Honolulu. She recorded for the Savoy, Crystalette, Forecast, Federal and Atco labels and often appeared at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem.[2]

In 1960, Hopkins first toured Europe in the Broadway Express, the restaged production of Jazz Train. She recorded "Shake a Hand" with Jackie Wilson on the Brunswick label, which is her sole hit single reaching #21 on the US Billboard R&B chart.[1] She also recorded "I Found Love" and "There's Nothing Like Love" with him on Brunswick in early 1962. She attended Stella Adler's Acting School in New York City.[2]

During the 1970s, Hopkins performed in the Broadway musical, Purlie, and with Sammy Davis Jr. for nine months. In addition, she performed at President Jimmy Carter's 1977 inaugural ball. In 1972 she was awarded a Tony and Drama Desk Award for her performance in Inner City.[2] She sang "Do You Believe" at the political event Star-Spangled Women for McGovern–Shriver, bringing 19,000 people to their feet.[3]

Hopkins starred in Me and Bessie, a one-woman show paying homage to blues singer Bessie Smith, conceived and written by Hopkins and Will Holt. The world premiere was in Washington, D.C., in 1974. After a run in Los Angeles it transferred to the Ambassador Theatre on Broadway. The critically acclaimed show ran for thirteen months and 453 performances, and Hopkins was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience.[2]

In 1985, Black and Blue, written by Claudio Segovia and Hector Orezzoli, premiered in Paris at the Théâtre Musical Paris. The musical revue opened on Broadway in 1989 and ran for 829 performances. Hopkins received a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical. Wild Women Blues, conceived by Hopkins and produced by Mel Howard and created by Hopkins and William Lipscomb, premiered in Berlin in 1997. In 1998 Hopkins celebrated 50 years in show business.

In 2005, Motherin' The Blues: Linda Hopkins — The Continuing Legacy of The Blues Woman, researched and written by Erany Barrow-Pryor, Ph.D. through the Department of English at University of California, Los Angeles, was published.[4]

In October 2005, Hopkins received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[2]

Hopkins died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 10, 2017, at the age of 92.[5][6]

Discography[edit]

  • Shake a Hand with Jackie Wilson (Brunswick, 1963)
  • Linda Hopkins (RCA Victor, 1972)
  • Me and Bessie (Columbia, 1976)
  • How Blue Can You Get (Palo Alto, 1983)
  • Here's the Kid: Live in Sesjun (Jazz Between the Dikes, 1994)
  • Mel Howard Presents: Wild Women Blues (DRG, 1999)
  • The Living Legend Live! (FreeHam, 2006)

Filmography[edit]

  • 2002: Cool Cat Theme Song with Derek Savage Productions [7]
  • 2003: Trolly the Trout Theme Song with Derek Savage Productions [8]
  • 2009: Linda Hopkins: Deep in the Night with Eddie Harris and Paul Smith

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Biography by Ron Wynn". Allmusic.com. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Linda Hopkins". The Hollywood Walk of Fame. Hwof.com/star. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
  3. ^ Roxon, Lillian (November 5, 1972). "A New Role for Women in Rock?". The Daily News. New York City. p. 385.
  4. ^ Barrow-Pryor, Erany. Motherin' The Blues: Linda Hopkins — The Continuing Legacy of The Blues Woman. Ann Arbor, Michigan: ProQuest, 2005. This dissertation is forthcoming in 2009 as a published monograph (VDM Verlag)
  5. ^ "Legendary Gospel and Blues singer Linda Hopkins dies at 92 | SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews". SoulTracks.com. 11 April 2017. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
  6. ^ "Linda Hopkins, Tony Award-winning actress and singer, dies at 92". The New York Times. April 11, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  7. ^ Savage, Derek. "Cool Cat Loves You". Savage Productions.
  8. ^ Savage, Derek. "Trolly The Trout". youtube. Derek Sage. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Linda_Hopkins&oldid=1217151956"