MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – The manager for singer Ruby Wilson says the blues, soul and gospel performer known as “The Queen of Beale Street” has died. She was 68.
Rollin Riggs, a partner at Resource Management Group, said Wilson died Friday at a Memphis hospital. Riggs said she suffered a massive heart attack Saturday and never regained consciousness.
According to a biography provided by Riggs, Wilson was born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1948 and grew up singing in her church choir. She moved to Memphis in 1972, and became a fixture at Beale Street night clubs, including B.B. King’s Blues Club, where she had a regular weekly performance.
Wilson recorded 10 albums and performed with Ray Charles, The Four Tops, Isaac Hayes, King and others. She also performed in Europe and Asia.