Moms Mabley
b. Loretta Mary Aiken, 19 March 1894, Brevard, North Carolina, USA, d. 23 May 1975. Mabley was raised in Washington, DC. Her 1969 maudlin recitation of the Dion hit, Abraham, Martin And John somewhat obscured her history as the most successful comedienne on the black theatre circuit. The song made her a one-hit-wonder, when it hit number 18 R&B and number 35 pop, yet she had been performing for almost 40 years and had already charted with 13 comedy albums on the pop album charts. She was masterful at blue humour but less effective with suitable family fare. Mabley entered the Chitlin' Circuit in 1921 when she toured with Butterbeans And Susie. She also appeared in bit parts in films— Emperor Jones (1933), Killer Diller (1947), Boarding House Blues (1948). Amazing Grace (1972) was her only starring appearance.