American Folk Singer Odetta Dies At 77

On Tuesday, folk singer Odetta passed away at the age of 77:

When you talk to some of the most famous singers in America, they’ll tell you she inspired the way they sing. In fact, Bob Dylan once said that the first thing that turned him on to folk singing was Odetta. But Odetta was far more than a folk singer when she died from kidney failure and heart disease yesterday in New York.

The moment you saw and heard Odetta, there was no way you could forget her. She stood on the stage, back in her prime, like a lioness. Strong body. Strong stance. Short, short hair. Big earrings jangling like swords. One moment she’d grimace like something was hurting.

Then suddenly Odetta would smile. And you’d melt.