Legends are of those who long have left this sometimes "bitter earth" are spoken about, books are written, movies are made of and the original music of that individual is still played. We hear of different situations where that unique personality gave a look, or said a word in a certain way and before long became a diva in her (or his) own lifetime. It's been 45 years now since this grand lady past away from this life into the next dimension. Her name is Ms. Dinah Washington.

Soon she was recording solo records. In 1959, she recorded "What A Difference A Day Makes", which earned her a Grammy. Her trade-mark singing style of perfect diction paved the way for generations to come, like jazz singer Ms. Nancy Wilson, one of many followed. Because of her unique singing style she was able to do crossover records from "race" records , as during this time, negroes (as people of color were called), their music was called "race" music.

Along with this success the legend began, as Dinah was married seven times. This was way before actress Elizabeth Taylor and the Gabor sisters. Ms. Washington was known to waste her money buying furs, cars, shoes and rumors have said that buying/spending money on husbands as it was believed that she suffered from depression and tried to buy happiness.

In her day she was called the Queen of the Blues and Queen of the Juke Box, as juke boxes were in every bar and restaurant. Some of her signature songs were/are, "What A Difference A Day Makes", "Baby, You've Got What It Takes" which she recorded with Brook Benton, who would later recorded, "Rainy Night In Georgia" before his own passing, (my favorite) "This Bitter Earth" and "Evil Gal." The "Queen" was sometimes known to wear a diamond studded crown to show her royalty.

Ms. Dinah was successful professionally, however, in her personal life she wasn't as blessed, as she suffered from alcoholism and had an addiction to diet pills (she sometimes had a weight problem), the combination of the two was the cause of her untimely death at age 39. Cause of death: Drug overdose.

Gone too soon but never forgotten, Ms. Dinah Washington. "What A Difference A Day Makes", will forever be connected to this grand Diva.

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