May 31, 2019 by Jennifer Rodrigo · Arts & Culture

Give It Up for Miss Lavelle White, Blues Singer and All-Around Bold Icon

Austin’s amazing “First Lady of Blues” turns 90 this summer. Can we get a round of applause?

You don’t meet Miss Lavelle White: You “feel” her. Her face exemplifies the essence of a blues singer. It shows pain, suffering, hardship—all those things that make the blues the blues—and gives her songs their gritty honesty. Put that together with a risqué sense of humor that twinkles in her eyes, and you have a woman who, on the cusp of turning 90, is totally about aging boldly and blazingly.

Lavelle’s talent was evident early. Born in Louisiana to a single mom, Lillia (as she was known then) started singing spirituals in church as well as soul, funk, and blues with her powerful, emotion-rich voice. She also began writing poetry and songs at a young age. She landed in Houston at age 15 and performed in the clubs while having a day job, until the age of 22, when she went full time, then known as Miss La-Vell.

Whoops! Want to read more?

Become a member to get these perks:

- - - - Read all our bold, bodacious articles by top writers.
        
        Get discounts on trips and events, including Paris, Italy, Scotland, New York City.
        
        Join our members-only "Tribe" community to connect with like-minded women.

Join now—as low as $9 a month or $39 per year!

A Time Warp Makes a 63-Year-Old VERY Visible for a Day

Or maybe it was pheromones. Or a birthday wish granted. Still, sometimes the planets align and the world sees you differently. As you feel inside.

We raise our glass to the Veuve Clicquot widow, the first modern businesswoman who gave us champagne and launched countless celebrations.

What to do if you find The One very (and we mean VERY) soon after the death of his wife? Listen up as Answer Queen, our advice guru, weighs in.

NextTribe Founder Jeannie Ralston has led trips all over the world. Here, her 39 picks for footwear that will keep you pain-free from Paris to Peru.

« The Healing Power of Dogs: One Writer Gets the Pet She Needed, but Never Wanted

The Robots Are Coming: What We Lose When Technology Takes Over »

Love our content?

We are the Voice of Smart, Bold Women 45 and over! Our mantra is Age Boldly! No where else will you find authentic, original content like this. So give a little or give a lot. We want to continue publishing stories about love later in life, adult children never leaving home, wearing a bikini after 50 and trips of a lifetime! Thank you in advance for supporting NextTribe.

SUPPORT US