Nina Simone: Voice and visceral soul

Nina Simone: voice of fire, eternal soul

To talk about Nina Simone is to talk about art, struggle, and authenticity. She was more than an artist: she was a force who broke molds, challenged injustice, and turned her music into a weapon of conscience. Known as one of the last great jazz divas, her legacy lives on in every note of her vintage LPs , in every soulful phrase sung, and in every vintage vinyl record that rests in the collections of music lovers who haven't forgotten her. [img]

A precocious talent marked by struggle

Nina was born Eunice Waymon in North Carolina in 1933. She played the piano at just three years old and was already giving concerts at ten… although it was then that she experienced her first episode of racism: her parents were forced to give up their seats in the front row of the auditorium.

That wound never healed. And although he shone as a pianist and singer, his life was marked by a restless soul, a combative nature, and a constant struggle for social and racial justice. All of this—its light and its shadow—became music.

The voice that never gave up

In 1959, she recorded her first album with Bethlehem Records, a gem that combined jazz, blues, and gospel. With her rendition of "I Loves You, Porgy ," Nina entered the charts and won the hearts of the public.

But she didn't just want to entertain. She wanted to disturb, to awaken. Her music was also a cry of protest. She covered Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, and Miriam Makeba with a passion that transcended genres. She never wanted to be pigeonholed as a "jazz priestess," a title she said she didn't choose.

And yet her impact was such that many say no stage was big enough for her.

Militancy, exile and creation

The death of Martin Luther King in 1968 marked a turning point. Tired of the attacks, discrimination, and other people's expectations, Nina left the United States. She lived in Barbados, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and finally France, where she found some peace… and more freedom to create.

His activism was uncomfortable, radical, and necessary. He joined the Black Panther movement and turned every performance into a political statement. Meanwhile, his music continued to conquer the world, becoming an essential part of the most valuable vinyl records still spinning on record players around the world today.

A legacy that never fades

Nina Simone died on April 21, 2003, in Carry-le-Rouet, France. She was 70 years old and had been battling breast cancer for years. Yet, until her final days, when she sat at the piano, it seemed as though nothing could touch her.

Her difficult and fascinating life has been documented in books and films, but if you want to experience it up close, we recommend the documentary What Happened, Miss Simone?, directed by Liz Garbus. It reveals her true essence: intense, imperfect, brilliant.

Nina's soul lives on in every vinyl

Today, her records are still sought after by collectors who understand that vinyl is much more than a medium: it's a portal to another era, a connection with the artist. If you own old Nina Simone LPs , you're caring for them like a treasure. And if you're just starting your collection, seeking out her records is one of the best ways to pay tribute.

Remember that the best way to store vinyl records is with furniture designed to protect and display them stylishly. At Keep Them Spinning, you'll find ideas to keep your collection as vibrant as its legacy.