Crib Notes

By Brian Poust

This past Sunday, we lost one of Atlanta’s most well loved, yet under appreciated R&B singers. Helen Thompson may not be a household name, but blues and R&B aficionados will certainly know her hit “Down To Big Mary’s”. That particular song was originally performed by the prolific Atlanta blues man Titus Turner. However, it’s Helen Thompson’s version which became more popular.

In the early 1950s, Helen was performing regularly at the Zanzibar Night Club in Atlanta, where she would sometimes perform with Tommy Brown. Helen met a talent agent named Al Green (not the singer) who arranged a recording session for Helen in Detroit for August 31, 1953. Helen’s first record was “Down To Big Mary’s” backed with “All By Myself” (States S-126) written by Helen and Detroit band leader Maurice King. “Down To Big Mary’s” became a pretty big hit, and was mentioned as an up and coming record in the November 21 issue of Billboard Magazine in 1953. Helen began touring America and released a follow up single, “Troubled Woman” backed with “My Baby’s Gone” (States S-138).  Unfortunately, these four sides are not commercially available in one place, but “Down To Big Mary’s” can at least be heard at YouTube.

While Helen’s singing career seemed to be hitting on all cylinders, she was dealt a heavy personal setback when her mother died. Helen returned home to Atlanta to care for her family. While she made only occasional local appearances as a singer after returning to Atlanta, she kept herself familiar with other local singers coming up and was known to throw parties where some of Atlanta’s most talented singers would perform. Helen’s daughter Barbara specifically remembers Tommy Brown and Barbara Hall performing at her mother’s parties. It is as if when Helen returned to Atlanta, she didn’t just take care of her own family, but the local family of musicians as well. While her singing career was cut short, Helen continued to work very hard in a supportive role behind the scenes.

In her latest years, Helen suffered from heart problems and other ailments, which she eventually succumbed to on Sunday.

Bookmark to:

Posted in Music news | Add a comment

Tags: All By Myself, Atlanta, Down To Big Mary, Helen Thompson, My Baby’s Gone, Titus Turner, Tommy Brown, Troubled Woman, Zanzibar Night Club.