NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — The “Queen Bey” pays tribute to a local Queen during her record-setting “Cowboy Carter” world tour.
Queen Esther Marrow, 84, a Newport News native, is best known for her voice and activism, which date back to the 1960s.
“I left Newport News when I was 19. I went to New York. It just so happened that show business was thrown in my lap,” Marrow told 10 On Your Side’s Kiahnna Patterson.
“It was orchestrated, I would say, by God, because I didn’t go there to do that. But this is what happened.”
Queen Esther Marrow
Queen Esther Marrow’s Career
During her career, spanning several countries, Marrow used her voice to advocate for civil rights alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Harry Belafonte, Aretha Franklin, Sidney Poitier, Mahalia Jackson and Dick Gregory.
“I met Duke Ellington. He was doing a ‘sacred concert’ in San Francisco and invited me to be a part of that! That’s how my singing career started,” said Marrow. “After working with Duke, I went on to work with other great singers and musicians. Then I put together a gospel group, and toured Europe for about 25 years.”
In Jan. 2024, she was invited by the City of Newport News to perform at the CNU Ferguson Center for the Arts.
“I always feel overjoyed because… starting back in the 60s, after working with Duke Ellington and [Harry] Belafonte. I met Doctor Martin Luther King. I started traveling with him, along with Belafonte, and being from the South, growing up here. It meant a lot to me to be a part of that… working towards a change. I’m still doing the same thing,” said Marrow.
A lot can be learned from just the music that we sing, the music that we sing about love and peace and giving and caring about one another.
Queen Esther Marrow
Marrow cowrote and released a song titled “Walk Tall” in 1969.
“I have a message! I’m always thinking about my people because I love my people,” Marrow said. “I love all people.”
‘Cowboy Carter’ World Tour
Marrow’s distinct voice on “Walk Tall” caught the ear of her manager Natasha Christian while attending the “Cowboy Carter” show in Washington, D.C. on July 4th.
Christian rushed back to Hampton Roads to show Marrow a video of the interlude before the song “Texas Hold ‘Em.” The now-viral video currently has more than 1 million views on Instagram.
“The interlude, rich with Queen Esther’s commanding voice and the spirit of resilience that defines her work, became a bridge between eras, soul and country, legacy and evolution,” writes Christian.
Marrow describes watching the video, saying, “Oh my God, she’s using my music! That’s how it touched me! Something that was recorded in 1969. But then when I look back, I listen to the message in the song. Don’t have no doubt, no fear. Stand up, baby, walk tall! Don’t let nothing hold you back! For what [Beyonce] she was doing and what she was saying… that song is befitting!”
“The music that we sing about love, peace and giving and caring about one another,” Marrow said. “That is what I find with Beyoncé. She’s a hard-working woman, but she does her research! She’s not just singing to be singing… her songs have a message. It really touched me listening to her concert. Oh, she you she when she touched me right here, you know, because that’s what it’s about.”
Queen Esther Marrow
After the video was reshared on several social media platforms, Tina Knowles reached out to Marrow.
“It just went viral! Tina Knowles saw it. She asked Beyonce, ‘Can we bring her here?’ Beyonce said ‘absolutely’ and they flew us out,” said Marrow.
Marrow and Christian were invited to the show on July 13 in Atlanta, Ga.
“You would have thought that I was a teenager! [Beyonce] She wraps you up and she doesn’t let you go until it’s over! As an artist, looking and admiring another artist’s work, I take my hat off to her,” said Marrow. “Even when I was younger. When you were touring like that, it’s wear and tear [on your body]. It’s hard work. She is on the stage… on the horse.. She is one of the hardest working women I know of in this business!”
To put this show together… Mrs. Beyonce. She did some work. She did some research. Take your hat off for the woman who can do this and call the shots! I respect her for that!
Queen Esther Marrow
Marrow commends Beyonce’s ability to create a Grammy-winning country album.
“I love it because you’re stepping outside of what you normally do, and it was a success,” said Marrow.
The whirlwind experience is shared on her social media accounts. Marrow is hopeful it will inspire younger generations.
“I’m so happy that we came together—the generations. We shook hands and she brought that to me. I thank her for that because we have to continue to reach out to our young. Because they don’t know if we don’t give them that information,” said Marrow.
