Adelaide Hall - Entertainer
Adelaide Louise Hall was born on the 20th October 1901 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. She became an internationally celebrated Jazz singer, musical theatre star, radio host and recording artist. Whilst still teenagers Adelaide and her sister Evelyn started a group – they called themselves the Hall Sisters, when Adelaide was just sixteen their father died so the Hall Sisters stepped up their performing to help support the family. Unfortunately, tragedy struck again a few years later in 1920 when Evelyn died.
Adelaide secured a small part in her first Broadway musical Shuffle Along in 1921. The production supercharged her musical career. She also recorded the hit song Creole Love Call with Duke Ellington and his band in 1927.
Adelaide went on to perform in a number of productions over the years, her earlier appearances included Runnin’ Wild in 1923, Blackbirds in 1928 and Brown Buddies 1930. Later in her career Adelaide toured across multiple countries either as part of a collective, performing with other greats such as Josephine Baker, Lena Hall, Cab Calloway and Louis Armstrong, or as the star and main attraction.
In 1925 Adelaide and her husband arrived in Germany to perform in the popular musical production Chocolate Kiddies. On their return to the United States they decided to relocate to Europe due to the racism and unrest they experienced in the US. Adelaide performed in Paris, France at the club her husband opened for her called La Grosse Pomme (The Big Apple). In 1938 Adelaide travelled to the UK with her husband and manager to perform in the musical The Sun Never Sets at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. She was a hit and became a household name.
Throughout the Second World War Adelaide entertained troops in Europe, lifting spirits and morale. Whilst performing in the UK at the Lewisham Hippodrome in London the Luftwaffe (German air force) were heard flying overhead dropping bombs as she sang. Adelaide bravely carried on with her performance.
After the war her popularity continued to rise, she was one of the UKs highest paid entertainers. She appeared in films, musical theatre and performed live. Adelaide was the first Black female artiste to perform at the Royal Variety Performance in front of Princess’ Elizabeth and Margaret. She also continued recording, many of her songs earned top 20 chart positions.
“I was so proud to be acknowledged........ I must have been the oldest one there! I ate everything that came along.”
In 1992 Adelaide received the Gold Badge Award from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors (now known as The Ivors Academy) recognising her significant contribution to the UK music industry. She said; “I was so proud to be acknowledged. They said, 'You look like a Queen. You don't look more than fifty or sixty. You look so well.' I wore a sequin suit – different colours – it glittered. I must have been the oldest one there! I ate everything that came along.”
Adelaide Hall died November 7 1993 in London UK. She was returned to New York and laid to rest next to her mother.
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