#tbt - Throw Back Thursday

Hollywood, 1993.  Ellen and Hadda Brooks

It's August, 1993.  Larry and I are at the old Vine Street Bar and Grill in Hollywood to hear Hadda Brooks perform. Hadda had been named a winner of the 1993 Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, recognition for her talent and long career. She was called the "Queen of the Boogie."  You can read more about her career history here. 

At the time, I was co-hosting KPCC's "Friday Night Blues Revue" with John "Juke" Logan. Hadda was a guest on our radio show.  She is 76 here, lively and full of great stories about her years in entertainment. She could still play the piano and sing...what a talent!  Hadda lived a long and fruitful life.  She passed away in 2002.  You can hear one of Hadda's biggest hits from 1947, "That's My Desire," here.