Background
Annisteen Allen was born in Champaign, Illinois.
Annisteen Allen was born in Champaign, Illinois.
Her first recordings were made in 1945, and included "Mission Annie"s Blues" and "Love for Sale". She sang with Big John Greer, Wynonie Harris, and Lucky Millinder. In 1951, Federal Records signed her to sing with Millinder"s orchestra.
She scored other hits with Millinder such as "I"ll Never Be Free", "Let lieutenant Roll", "Moanin" the Blues", and "More, More, More".
Federal"s parent company, King Records, acquired her in 1953. Her single "Baby I"m Doin" lieutenant" released in 1953 charted on Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart (#8).
After releasing the single, Apollo Records sued King for copyright infringement, and as a result King dropped her from its roster. She then signed with Capitol Records and did tours with Joe Morris and The Orioles.
In 1955 she scored a hit in the United States. with "Fujiyama Mama".
She became a solo artist in the 1960s. Annisteen Allen died in Harlem, New York City at age 71.