Helene Smith

Miami Soul Singer

Miami’s First Lady of Soul issued 45s on the Blue Star, Lloyd, Deep City, Phil L.A. Of Soul, Dash, and Dade labels. She was not only the first artist to record for Clarke-Pearsall Productions, Miami’s first independent black production company, she was also the only artist on Miami’s Deep City label to record a full-length LP. Wife to Johnny Pearsall Helene and Johnny Pearsall were married when she was 23, after most of her Phil-LA of Soul recordings were released. They continued to live in Miami and had one daughter, who became a lawyer. Johnny Pearsall also owned a record store in Miami and continued to work with music until his untimely death. Helene Smith carried on his mission working with children and herself became a teacher in the Miami school district, teaching first graders.