My heart goes out to all who ever had the honour of meeting or hearing the wonderful Miss Linda Hopkins sing. I am so saddened to hear the news of Linda's passing, for only yesterday I was thinking of how she had made an impact in my life and heart. I'm not sure if Linda would have even remembered me but I know I will never forget her. I met Linda back in the mid 80's. I was assigned as Linda's personal waiter and go to person during her 8 week stay in Boston while performing at the Bradford Hotel's Cabaret. If I may say, it was an absolute pleasure! I got to know Linda on a personal level as well. We had gone out to dinner and some clubs a few times and when there was a piano available Linda would sit down and belt out a few songs. I marveled at how people came from other rooms in the establishments to hear and "watch" her sing, I was right there with them! I remember a time after one show Linda introduced me to her nephew who was going to college in Boston, either BC or BU, I think. She had asked him if he might be able to pick up lima beans the following day for her. He told Linda that he couldn't because he had classes so I said I would do it for her. When I got to Linda's condo to drop the beans off she asked me if I wanted to come in for a glass of wine, of course I said, "Sure". When we got inside Linda introduced me to two of her lady friends that were also in Boston performing. I was there from about 1pm to 6:30pm. Linda made what I think was jambalaya and we sat eating and drinking wine for all that time. Now the reason I'm even mentioning this time with Linda and her two friends is that I feel that I was so lucky; lucky because I was this young naive 23 year old white boy spending hours over drinks with these three incredibly talented, mature (late 50's-60's), beautiful, Southern, African-American women. I remember we talked about their struggles with prejudice while growing up and touring. We talked about music, we talked about politics, we talked about religion and yes, we even talked about sex, LOL. It has been one of my most favorable memories I've had in my life. I know this is long but I feel I need to share one more thing that Linda had shared with me on how she became a catalyst for God's work and how her voice was changed. Linda told me that when she was younger she was actually a soprano but was in a car accident and damaged her vocal cords. While in the hospital Linda asked the doctor (by writng) if she would be able to sing again and his response was "You might not be able to talk again never mind sing." Linda said that for days she prayed to God to please let her sing again. God did give Linda her voice back, though changed, He did give it back. Linda told me that God made a deal with her. If He gives her voice back she must work for Him, and so it was. I'm not sure if many know this but God worked through Linda as a Healer. I was working one night at her show when during her closing song "Shake a Hand" Linda stopped and said to a woman in a wheelchair "God wants me to lay my hands apon you." As Linda was praying for this woman an energy, like no other came in the room. I can only describe it as a white, figuer 8 shaped, beautiful energy that was swirling around the room. I noticed everyone was crying including myself. God was in that room! That was on a Saturday; The next Friday during the day I was in the cabaret getting the stage ready to union standards for Linda's performance that night when a women came in. She asked if Linda was around, I said, "No but she'll be here tonight." The woman asked if I would give Linda a letter. She told me that it was a Thank You from her family. The woman told me that her Aunt had been there on Saturday and Linda laid her hands apon her. The woman told me that her Aunt was blind but now is beginning to see shadows, and that she also had arthritis so bad in her hands that she was unable to move them but now is able to. Through Linda God was in that room and now Linda is in God's Kingdom, although I know she has always been with Him. I will never forget Linda, her laugh, her bright eyes, her extraordinary voice, her contagious smile and her beautiful soul. Though I haven't seen nor talked to Linda for over 30 years she remained and will remain in my heart. I will miss her but will always share these stories and the beautiful Linda Hopkins with the people I meet. God Bless, Rest in Peace Linda (Melinda Helen Matthews). Forever, John
Such sweet memories! To be in her presence was like few experiences I have ever had. She was amazing and unforgettable, with a heart and soul as giant as her talent!
BEAUTIFUL memories and honor my Brother! Thanks for sharing! I can tell she was a good woman by her spirit and her voice! Today was the first time I became aware of this INCREDIBLE lady! Thanks for tending to Linda in such a respectful way! I’m sure we’ll see her in Heaven! 💕👍🏾😉
Thank you to whoever for putting this up. I was in this show and am in the video and what a treat it was to see the number again. It brought back a ton of memories and made me grin from ear to ear.
I just discovered this wonderful woman has gone on. I grew up with her and knew her as my Auntie Helen. She and my mom were best friends growing up in New Orleans. Whenever she visited St. Louis, she would bless our home with her presence. She was mostly singing on the Playboy Clubs circuit at the time. I remember her taking me shopping and to her performances. The last time I saw her was in 1974 when my daughter, at 5 years old, appeared in an interview with her on a St. Louis tv station. All of my memories of her are wonderful ones. RIP Auntie Helen!
What a voice, what a woman, the late great Linda Hopkins! So lucky to have seen Black & Blue on Broadway 3 times and offered my respect, admiration and love to the great artists in this revue. Thanks for posting this marvelous video.
tjlan.. Did you see Linda in Boston in the 80s? At the Braford Hotel? I worked there at the time and got to know Linda.. I'll never forget her.. what an amazing woman.. We went out a few times to club and dinner, she was so much fun! If anyone reads this and knows Linda.. PLEASE tell her the blonde kid from Boston that brought her lima beans when her nephew couldn't.. who she invited in to have wine with her and 2 of her friends ..says hi.. she might remember the lima beans...lol
First saw Elizabeth Hopkins on Johnny Carson, but later hit PAY DIRT when I saw her in this show back in 1989. Absolutely incredible, and those indelible memories brought me here today.
I had the great privelege of meeting Mz Hopkins yrs ago at a local LA night club she was my partner in a friendly game of bid whiz. She is really down to earth. Love this woman and her talent.
My Family and I were on our way to cousins bar mitzvah. My dad got tickets to see this show on broadway . I was 22 and never knew there was this level of talent. Linda and Ruth were absolute goddesses. I am honored and feel blessed to have gone to this review. When Linda did this number the audience was in entranced. I wish there was more focus on Linda and Ruth. Mahalia Jackson discovered Linda. Ruth brown was the first woman to win royalties case against a record producing company.
I had the pure pleasure of seeing Linda Hopkins in "Me And Bessie" on Broadway. Even got her autograph, which I flat-out never do. First heard her on the Inner City soundtrack, and once I recovered form the experience I fell in love.
@CineGraphic I saw that show. Those folks EARNED the money the old fashioned way. Tapped, danced and sang so much I was dizzy. It was a wonderful show.
@minamsmark .. Was it the caberet at the Bradford Hotel? That's were I worked when I met her. She told me that in the 60's she was in a car accident and damaged her vocal cords. The doctors told her she might never talk again never mind sing. But she prayed and asked God to give her voice back... He did but in a lower register.... you can see in her face every time she sings .. she's loving it.. as much as we are!
OK! You're permanently in the upper firmament! This is the most beautiful: beyond belief! Thanks so much for posting; now we have to back to the "real world!" Less for us!
@NHBAYBOUND i also worked there at the stagedoor, & the caberet down under. saw her perform nightly with elli boswell on piano. (me & besse) at the charles. never have i seen such a strong pwerful, & beautiful voice.
The pianist credit on this video is incorrect.The pianist is, in fact, Leonard Oxley, of Teaneck, NJ. Sir Roland Hanna did play piano in this show, but on this number it was Leonard. I know, because I was the substitute pianist on this incredible show; I subbed for Leonard and Sir Roland.The other credits given for the video are accurate. The trumpet is played by a fine New Orleans trumpet player named Emory Thompson; the tap solo is by Bernard Manners.
2nd D# over middle C, followed up by 2nd A over middle C. And she wasn't singing it, she was hetrodyning it, the sameway Buddhist monks do when they chant. Overtones aren't all that impressive. Her stilted style, is very disturbing.The following dance routine was poorly choreographed. She sings just as good as Luciano Pavarotti, though.
Incorrect. It's the whistle register. M3 laryngeal vibratory mechanism. It's just weak. She's old here. She could do it far stronger in her youth. Not 'hetrodyning'.
