Blues Singer. Gladys Bentley, one of the most flamboyant blues entertainers of the 20th century, began performing in New York City as a singer and male impersonator. During the late 1920's, Bentley recorded for the OKeh Record label and then for Victor Records in 1930. Bentley was known for being open about her lesbianism, and incorporated it into her stage show. By the mid 1940's, she took her act to Los Angeles, California and recorded for the Excelsior Record label. In the years prior to her death, she adamantly tried to recant her lesbianism and married a man several years her junior. Bentley became an active member of the "Temple of Love In Christ" Church and was on her way to becoming an ordained minister at the time of her death from pneumonia at the age of 52.
Blues Singer. Gladys Bentley, one of the most flamboyant blues entertainers of the 20th century, began performing in New York City as a singer and male impersonator. During the late 1920's, Bentley recorded for the OKeh Record label and then for Victor Records in 1930. Bentley was known for being open about her lesbianism, and incorporated it into her stage show. By the mid 1940's, she took her act to Los Angeles, California and recorded for the Excelsior Record label. In the years prior to her death, she adamantly tried to recant her lesbianism and married a man several years her junior. Bentley became an active member of the "Temple of Love In Christ" Church and was on her way to becoming an ordained minister at the time of her death from pneumonia at the age of 52.
Bio by: Midnight Believer
Family Members
Parents
Advertisement
See more Bentley memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
