Jessie Mae Robinson

b. Jessie Mae Booker, 1 October 1919, Call, Texas, USA, d. 26 October 1966. A songwriter whose compositions were recorded by the major R&B artists of the post-World War II era, Robinson was one of the few black songwriters to break the colour barrier, and wrote a number of hits for major pop stars of the 50s. She was raised in Los Angeles and there married Leonard Robinson. Among the many R&B hits composed by Jessie Mae Robinson were ‘Old Maid Boogie’ (Eddie Vinson, 1947), ‘Blue Light Boogie’ (Louis Jordan, 1950), ‘Double Crossing Blues’ (Little Esther And Johnny Otis, 1950), ‘Black Night’ (Charles Brown, 1951), ‘Roomin’ House Boogie’ (Amos Milburn, 1949) and ‘Sneakin’ Around’ (B.B. King, 1955). Robinson’s most successful song, ‘I Went To Your Wedding’ (1952), launched her career in the pop market. The song was first recorded by Damita Jo, and then Patti Page made it a number 1 pop hit. Other pop success came with Jo Stafford (‘Keep It A Secret’, 1952), Frankie Laine (‘I’m Just A Poor Bachelor’, 1953), and both Wanda Jackson and Elvis Presley (‘Let’s Have A Party’, 1957). In the early 60s Robinson formed a couple of small record labels with notable lack of success.