- Born
- Died
- Birth nameElinore Harris
- Nickname
- Lady Day
- Height5′ 5″ (1.65 m)
- Billie Holiday was a true artist of her day and rose as a social phenomenon in the 1950s. Her soulful, unique singing voice and her ability to boldly turn any material that she confronted into her own music made her a superstar of her time. Today, Holiday is remembered for her masterpieces, creativity and vivacity, as many of Holiday's songs are as well known today as they were decades ago. Holiday's poignant voice is still considered to be one of the greatest jazz voices of all time.
At the age of 18 and after gaining more experience than most adult musicians can claim, Holiday was spotted by John Hammond and cut her first record as part of a studio group led by Benny Goodman, who was then just on the verge of public prominence. In 1935 Holiday's career got a big push when she recorded four sides that went on to become hits, including "What a Little Moonlight Can Do" and "Miss Brown to You." This landed her a recording contract of her own, and then, until 1942, she recorded a number of master tracks that would ultimately become an important building block of early American jazz music.
Holiday recorded about 100 new recordings on another label, Verve, from 1952 to 1959. Her voice became more rugged and vulnerable on these tracks than earlier in her career. During this period, she toured Europe, and made her final studio recordings for the MGM label in March of 1959. Billie Holiday, a musical legend still popular today, died an untimely death at the age of 44. Her emotive voice, innovative techniques and touching songs will forever be remembered and enjoyed- IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous
- SpousesLouis McKay(March 28, 1957 - July 17, 1959) (her death)Joe Guy(1945 - ?) (divorced)Jimmy Monroe(August 25, 1941 - 1957) (divorced)
- Gardenia flower in her hair
- Unique soulful singing voice
- She died with 70 cents in the bank and $750 strapped to her leg -- a reminder of her lifelong fear of poverty.
- Enjoyed reading comic books, including Captain Marvel, throughout her adult life.
- Her song "Strange Fruit" was written by Abel Meeropol, who adopted the sons of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg after their parents' execution. He wrote the song under the assumed name Lewis Allen so that no one would trace the song to him.
- In 1947, she was sent to prison on a narcotics charge due to her addiction to heroin. When she was released, she performed at Carnegie Hall.
- Holiday's 1941 recording of "Gloomy Sunday" became connected with suicides around the world and her version was banned by the BBC from airplay until 2002.
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