Queen Of R&B Booking Dies

One of the biggest names in R&B booking, Ruth Bowen, passed away April 21. Bowen was the longtime manager, agent and friend of Aretha Franklin and founder of Queen Booking, which had a roster of historic proportions.

Queen’s roster included Franklin, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Ray Charles, The O’Jays, Marvin Gaye, Ike & Tina Turner, Smokey Robinson, Al Green, Ben E. King – the list goes on and on.

Comedy acts included Redd Foxx, Richard Pryor and Slappy White.

At the time of her passing, Bowen and her brother Carl Hunter ran Bowen Agency, which reps Bobby Womack, Peabo Bryson and Millie Jackson, among many other notables.