Big Maybelle

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Big Maybelle (born Maybelle Louise Smith, May 1, 1924 in Jackson, Tennessee - January 23, 1972 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA) was one of the most popular R&B singers of the 1950s, recording for Okeh, Savoy and other labels.

She began her professional career with Dave Clark in 1936 and began recording in 1944 with Christine Chatman. Her debut solo recordings came for King Records in 1947. She moved to the Okeh label and her first recording, "Gabbin' Blues", was a hit, followed by "Way Back Home", "My Country Man" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On". More hits followed throughout the 1950s, then largely dried out in the 1960s. Her last hit single was a cover of ? & the Mysterians' "96 Tears".

Big Maybelle died in a diabetic coma in 1972.