Bertha Lee Pate, known more commonly as Bertha Lee (June 17, 1902 – May 10, 1975)[1][better source needed] was an American classic female blues singer, active in the 1920s and 1930s. She recorded with, and was the common-law wife of Charley Patton.[2]
Bertha Lee Pate | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | June 17, 1902 Lula, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | May 10, 1975 (aged 72) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Biography
When she was young, Lee's family moved to Lula, Mississippi. Lee met Patton in 1930 and remained his partner until his death in 1934.[3] During this time, she sang on twelve of Patton's recordings, which resulted in the recording of three of her own songs, "Yellow Bee", "Dog Train Blues", and "Mind Reader Blues".[4] Patton accompanied her on guitar on these records.[2]
In 1933, the couple settled in Holly Ridge, Mississippi. Her relationship with Patton was a turbulent one. In early 1934, both of them were incarcerated in a Belzoni, Mississippi jailhouse after a particularly harsh fight.[5] W. R. Calaway from Vocalion Records bailed the pair out of jail, and escorted them to New York City, for what would be Patton's final sessions (on January 30 and February 1).[6] They later returned to Holly Ridge and Lee saw Patton out in his final days, as he died, according to his death certificate, of a mitral valve disorder on April 28, 1934.[6][5]
Little else is known of Lee, and her recordings with Patton are the only documents of her voice. The album, Masters of the Delta Blues : The Friends of Charlie Patton contains some of her work.[7]