The Visceral Journey of Nina Simone

Nina Simone: The Last Great Diva of Jazz

Nina Simone wasn’t just a singer—she was a storm, a voice, a fighter. In this article, we walk through her life, her legacy, and why her albums remain some of the most cherished and sought-after vintage vinyl records in the world.

A Life of Talent, Pain, and Purpose

Born Eunice Waymon in 1933 in Tryon, North Carolina, Nina Simone was a musical prodigy. She started playing piano at three, composing at six, and gave her first concert at just ten years old. It was during that concert that she first encountered racism—a theme that would shape her life and music.

Behind her fame, Nina battled bipolar disorder, breast cancer, and the pressures of the spotlight. But above all, she held fiercely to her love for music, using it as both escape and weapon.

The Voice of Protest and Soul

More than a performer, Nina Simone was a revolutionary. Her songs became anthems for the civil rights movement. She marched, she spoke out, and she sang truths that many were too afraid to say aloud.

From “Mississippi Goddam” to “To Be Young, Gifted and Black,” Nina’s discography is a powerful archive of resistance and emotion—making her records some of the most valuable vinyls for both music lovers and historians alike.

The High Priestess of Soul (Even If She Didn’t Like the Title)

Nina never liked labels. She rejected being called the “High Priestess of Soul” and resisted being boxed in by the jazz world. But whether she was singing jazz, gospel, blues, or folk, her voice carried a force unlike any other.

Her debut with Bethlehem Records in 1959 included tracks that blended genres in ways that felt bold, raw, and real. That original pressing? Today it’s one of those vintage lps collectors dream about.

If you’ve got one stored away, it might just be among the most valuable vinyls ever pressed.

Nina’s Journey: From America to the South of France

Disillusioned by the racism and pressure of the American music industry, Nina left the U.S. after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She lived in Barbados, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and finally settled in the south of France.

It was there, in Carry-le-Rouet, that she passed away in 2003 at the age of 70 after a long battle with breast cancer. Her story, like her voice, still echoes.

How to Keep Nina’s Legacy Spinning

If you’re lucky enough to own some of her original vintage vinyl records, take care of them—they’re not just music, they’re history. Use the best way to store LP records: keep them vertical, in inner sleeves, and away from heat or moisture. Whether displayed on a shelf or tucked in crates, Nina deserves a safe home.

And if you’re hunting down those hard-to-find vintage LPs, her early albums with Bethlehem and Colpix are absolute treasures. Their sound quality, cover art, and emotional depth make them centerpieces in any collection.

Want to Know More?

Watch What Happened, Miss Simone? on Netflix—a moving documentary by Liz Garbus that dives deep into Nina’s life using rare footage, interviews, and her own words. It’s a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand the woman behind the legend.

More Than Music

Nina Simone gave us songs that demand to be heard—and remembered. She gave a voice to the voiceless and made her pain our power.

So today, put on your favorite vintage lps, take a moment to honor her fire, and let her piano remind you of what music can do.