PALMDALE, Calif., Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Blues promoter and businesswoman Tina "Mama Tina" Mayfield has died of gallbladder cancer at her home in Palmdale, Calif., at age 77.
Mayfield helped keep the blues alive and accessible to audiences in Southern California through her work as a promoter, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.
Although she did a lot for the local music scene, it was her efforts on behalf of the blues artists themselves, who knew her as "Mama Tina," that will carry her legacy through the generations.
She would fight for their royalties, provide them money during hard times, offer them opportunities to perform and visit them when they were sick and aging.
Mayfield, who was the widow of blues great Percy Mayfield, was one sure source of help and encouragement during hard times, said friends and family.
"The Grammy people don't know who she is, but she was queen in this community," said blues artist Barbara Morrison.
