14 Facts About Barbara Lynn

Barbara Lynn was born in Beaumont, Texas, and attended Hebert High School.

Barbara Lynn was raised Catholic and sang in the choir at her local parish.

Barbara Lynn played piano as a child, but switched to guitar, which she plays left-handed.

Barbara Lynn released an album, titled You'll Lose A Good Thing, which featured ten of her compositions.

Unusual for the time, Barbara Lynn was a female African American singer who both wrote most of her own songs and played a lead instrument.

Barbara Lynn appeared at the Apollo Theater, twice on American Bandstand.

Barbara Lynn continued to record for the Jamie label until 1966 and had several more minor hits.

Barbara Lynn signed with Atlantic the following year, and recorded another album, Here Is Barbara Lynn, in 1968.

Barbara Lynn married for the first time, at age 28, in 1970 and had three children.

Barbara Lynn resumed her recording career after her husband's death, and returned to her hometown of Beaumont, Texas, where her mother lived.

Barbara Lynn undertook further international tours, to Europe and elsewhere.

Barbara Lynn continues to reside in Beaumont, and was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1999.

Barbara Lynn appears in the 2015 music documentary film I Am the Blues.

Barbara Lynn is a recipient of a 2018 National Heritage Fellowship awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, which is the United States government's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts.