Voting Station

Gladys Bentley

Please vote to return to collections.

Vocalist

The Resume

    (August 12, 1907-January 18, 1960)
    Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    Died in Los Angeles, California
    Succumbed to pneumonia at 52

Why she might be annoying:

    She was stout.
    Her tunes were raunchy.
    She allegedly married a man and a woman at different times.
    She became a Holy roller later in life.

Why she might not be annoying:

    While dressed in top hat and tails and backed by drag queen showgirls, she flirted outrageously with women in the audience.
    Openly lesbian in the 1920s and 1930s, she went into the closet during the McCarthy Era.
    She took on a more feminine appearance to escape persecution.
    Known for a growling voice, excellent piano skills and songwriting prowess, she earned the nicknames 'The Brown Bomber of Sophisticated Songs' and 'America's Greatest Sepia Piano Player.'

Credit: Black Chic


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 18 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 19 Votes: 57.89% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 22 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 18 Votes: 77.78% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 22 Votes: 72.73% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 55 Votes: 67.27% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 18 Votes: 55.56% Annoying