Tempest Storm’s name alone evokes an era of glamour, rebellion, and sensuality. As one of the most iconic burlesque performers of the 20th century, her life and career transcended striptease stages to become a reflection of the changing tides of American entertainment and society. Born in 1928, she would go on to reign as the undisputed Queen of Burlesque, captivating audiences for more than half a century with her fiery red hair, magnetic stage presence, and unapologetic confidence.

Tempest Storm was born Annie Blanche Banks on February 29, 1928, in Eastman, Georgia. Her upbringing was marked by hardship. Raised in poverty in the racially segregated South, her early life was far from glamorous. She ran away from home at just 14 years old to escape sexual abuse and a troubled family environment. A brief teenage marriage followed, which was annulled, but it marked the beginning of a long journey toward independence and reinvention.

By her late teens, she had moved to Los Angeles, determined to make something of herself. It was there that she underwent a transformation—both in name and career. A casting agent suggested she adopt the name “Tempest Storm,” and with it, she found an identity that would redefine her life. She began working as a cocktail waitress and eventually entered the world of burlesque. What started as a means to survive soon turned into a lifelong vocation.