Tempest Storm: The Queen of Burlesque Who Dazzled Generations
With a name like Tempest Storm, you might expect fireworks — and she delivered them, night after night, for more than six decades. Fiery red hair, unmatched confidence, and a career spanning eight decades made her a legend far beyond the burlesque stage. But behind the sequins and rhinestones was a woman who rose from a difficult childhood in the segregated South to become the undisputed Queen of Burlesque.
From Annie Banks to Tempest Storm
Born Annie Blanche Banks on February 29, 1928, in Eastman, Georgia, Tempest Storm grew up in poverty on a small farm. Early life was marked by hardship and abuse, and by the age of 14, she ran away from home. She worked as a waitress and briefly married a U.S. Marine, though the marriage was annulled within a day. A year later, she wed a local shoe salesman, but it was her ambition that would shape her destiny.
By her late teens, she had moved to Los Angeles with dreams of Hollywood. A casting agent suggested a name that would forever change her path: Tempest Storm. Reflecting on the choice in later interviews, she admitted, “Well, I guess it might as well be Tempest Storm.”
Rising to Stardom
While working as a cocktail waitress, a customer noticed her charisma and encouraged her to try a striptease. At first, she hesitated. “I said, ‘Oh, no, not me. My mother would disown me,’” she recalled. But soon, Tempest Storm was performing on stage, blending elegance with allure. Her acts were carefully choreographed, showcasing glamour and sophistication rather than simple titillation.
By the mid-1950s, she was reportedly earning $100,000 a year — roughly $950,000 today — and Lloyd’s of London insured her iconic curves for $1 million. Headlines dubbed her “Tempest in a D-Cup,” celebrating her figure and stage presence. She shared stages with burlesque icons like Blaze Starr and Lili St. Cyr and appeared in films including Teaserama (1955) and Buxom Beautease (1956), often alongside Bettie Page.
The Star Who Defied Convention
Tempest Storm became known for more than just her looks. She refused plastic surgery, avoided smoking and alcohol, and maintained a disciplined self-care routine at home. Yet her popularity was extraordinary: in 1955, her visit to the University of Colorado drew a crowd of 1,500 students, nearly causing a riot. “They rushed me like a herd of cattle,” she recalled.
Her personal life was equally headline-grabbing. She was romantically linked to Elvis Presley, Mickey Rooney, and gangster Mickey Cohen. In 1959, she married jazz singer Herb Jeffries, Hollywood’s first Black singing cowboy, breaking mid-century racial taboos. The marriage faced backlash and impacted her career, but the two remained close even after their divorce.
A Legacy That Shines
Tempest Storm performed well into her 60s and made her final appearances in her 80s, remaining a vibrant presence on stage. She was celebrated at events like San Francisco’s O’Farrell Theatre anniversary and the Burlesque Hall of Fame Pageants. Her life and career were chronicled in the 2016 documentary Tempest Storm, highlighting her enduring influence on burlesque and entertainment.
When she passed away in 2021 at the age of 93, she left behind more than sequined costumes and glittering shows — she left a cultural revolution. Tempest Storm challenged stereotypes about beauty and womanhood long before empowerment became a mainstream idea. Her impact paved the way for modern burlesque stars such as Dita Von Teese, who openly credits Storm as an inspiration.
Tempest Storm lived up to her name: fiery, unforgettable, and unstoppable. She remains an enduring icon of glamour, confidence, and the art of performance.