Artist Info: Merline Johnson

Merline Johnson (born c. 1912) was an African American blues singer in the 1930s and 1940s, billed as The *Yas Yas Girl.

Little is known of her life, but she is thought to have been born in Mississippi. She was the aunt of rhythm and blues singer LaVern Baker. She first recorded in Chicago in 1937, on songs including "Sold It To The Devil". Over the next four years she recorded over 90 songs including "Don't You Make Me High", "I'd Rather Be Drunk", and "Love with a Feeling". [read more...]