Nellie Hill

Nellie Hill was a popular nightclub singer, recording vocalist, and actress in the Black Cinema genre and one of the early black beauties in the legendary soundies, which were the first music video displaying the top black talent and beauties of the day. Nellie's beauty, charm, grace, and sex appeal got her discovered by Fritz Pollard who noticed her walking down the street and offered her a chance in soundies. Nellie appeared in soundies with The Mills Brothers, The Three Peppers, Una Mae Carlisle, and Apus and Estrelita, where her beauty, charm, and charisma gained her many close-ups. One of her most popular soundies was "Ain't She Pretty" where she was the pretty girl sung about, strutting and flaunting her beauty. From the exposures Nellie received in the soundies, Nellie went on to star in two films, "Murder with Music" and "Killer Diller" where Nellie played Lola, a seductive, manipulative, seductress, whom men can't resist and whom she lead to ruin with her womanly wiles. From there, Nellie became a star and started her illustrious career, she first traveled the world entertaining the troops, singing and showcasing her sexy image that helped the boys forget there was a war. Nellie recorded hit songs like "Don't Worry Me No More" and appeared in Broadway production "Inside U.S.A" with Jack Haley and Beatrice Lillie. By the 1950's, Nellie became a full-fledged star, which earned her an appearance on the front cover of Jet magazine with article and in the Downbeat magazine. Nellie went on to perform in popular nightclubs all over the world, such as the legendary Baby Grand in New York with comic legend Nipsey Russell, performing in Washington, D.C. with The Three Stooges, singed with Willie Bryant Band at the Howard Theater and with The Larry Steel revue in Atlantic City. Nellie performed in Las Vegas, clubs such as Kelly Stables, The Ies Ambassadeurs in Paris, France, The El Sino, the legendary Flame Show Bar and The Twenty Grand in Detroit, and The Parker Stage Door. She also performed in popular Canada nightclubs like The Elmwood Casino, The Elbow Room, and The Top Hat. Nellie's dazzling beauty, sex appeal, glamour, delightful screen and stage presence, and scintillating singing voice made her a favorite and most see in her day. She was considered "a girl singer for men only, who sell sex in songs." Nellie Hill is a pioneer who helped opened the doors for women of color in show business and she set the standard of a sexy songstress who could bring men to their feet. Nellie Hill is now in her 90's, still going strong, still beautiful, and still stealing hearts with her charm.