Legendary entertainer Pearl Mae Bailey was born on March 29, 1918 in Southamption County, Virginia to Rev. Joseph and Ella Mae Bailey.  She grew up in Newport News, Virginia.  Bailey began her acting and singing career early at the age of 15 with her debut performance at an amateur contest at Philadelphia’s Pearl Theater.  Encouraged to enter the contest by her older brother, Bill Bailey, an aspiring tap dancer, Pearl Bailey won first prize in the competition. After winning a similar contest at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, Bailey decided to start performing as a professional.  In the 1930s she took jobs singing and dancing in Philadelphia’s black nightclubs.  After the start of World War II, Bailey decided to tour the country with the USO where she performed for US troops.  The USO performances spread her name and reputation across the country. After the war ended Bailey moved to New York.  She continued to perform in nightclubs but she also garnered a recording contract and now went on tour to promote her music.  Her 1952 recording, “Takes Two to Tango,” was one of the top songs of the year.  In 1946 Bailey made her Broadway debut in St. Louis Woman where she … Continue reading Pearl Mae Bailey (1918-1990)