Entertainer. Known as "Queen Victoria" and for her lean but strong voice and also her vivacious stage personality. Spivey was an entertainer who could do it all: she wrote songs, accompanied herself on piano and organ, and occasionally ukulele. She learned the piano while singing with her father's band in Dallas, Texas. After her father died she performed whereever she could find work. In 1926 Spivey moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where she wrote and recorded songs, includng her best-known, "T.B. Blues," for the St. Louis Music Company and for Okeh Records. Leaving Okeh but continuing to record, between 1929 and 1952 she also appeared in several stage shows, including Hellzapopin' and in an all-black movie, Hallelujah. After a brief retirement Spivey returned to music with the revival of the blues in the 1960s. In 1961 she formed Queen Vee Records, changing the name to Spivey records the following year. In 1970, Spivey was awarded a "BMI Commendation of Excellence" from the music publishing organazation for her long and outstanding contributions to many worlds of music. Spivey was generous in helping other show business personalities. She continued to write and sing the blues until her death.
Entertainer. Known as "Queen Victoria" and for her lean but strong voice and also her vivacious stage personality. Spivey was an entertainer who could do it all: she wrote songs, accompanied herself on piano and organ, and occasionally ukulele. She learned the piano while singing with her father's band in Dallas, Texas. After her father died she performed whereever she could find work. In 1926 Spivey moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where she wrote and recorded songs, includng her best-known, "T.B. Blues," for the St. Louis Music Company and for Okeh Records. Leaving Okeh but continuing to record, between 1929 and 1952 she also appeared in several stage shows, including Hellzapopin' and in an all-black movie, Hallelujah. After a brief retirement Spivey returned to music with the revival of the blues in the 1960s. In 1961 she formed Queen Vee Records, changing the name to Spivey records the following year. In 1970, Spivey was awarded a "BMI Commendation of Excellence" from the music publishing organazation for her long and outstanding contributions to many worlds of music. Spivey was generous in helping other show business personalities. She continued to write and sing the blues until her death.
Bio by: Curtis Jackson
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