The amazingly talented Abbey Lincoln passed away on August 14th 2010. Interestedly I discovered a few years before her passing while reaching the book that Ms. Lincoln was probably the first female artist to wear an Afro, that was in 1964 (see the video below). Afros really didn't become popular in this country until 1968 with just a few people wearing them in '67. This alone tells you how far ahead of her time Abby Lincoln was. As well as being a great jazz singer & songwriter she was also a "notable "Hollywood" actress, appearing in both movies & TV shows.