Washington, Dinah

1924 – She was born Ruth Lee Jones in real life, on the 29th day of April this year in Tuscaloosa, AL. She moved to Chicago at age three and was raised in a world of gospel, playing the piano and directing her church choir. 

1939 - At 15, after winning an amateur contest at ~the Regal Theatre, she began performing in nightclubs.

1942 – She worked as singer and pianist at the Garrick Bar.

1943 – She made her recording debut for Keynote at the end of this year.

1948 – She produced an enviable string of Top Ten hits on the RB charts from this year to 1955, singing blues, standards, novelties, pop covers, even Hank Williams' "Cold, Cold Heart."

1959 – She made a sudden breakthrough into the mainstream pop market with "What a Difference a Day Makes," a revival of a Dorsey Brothers.]

1963 – She died on the 14th day of December this year in Detroit, MI. She died of an accidental overdose of diet pills mixed with alcohol at the tragically early age of 39.