Billie Holiday
On April 7th 1915 Eleanora Fagan was born in Baltimore MD and spent most of childhood there. She took on the stage name Billie Holiday, which was inspired by one of her favorite actresses Billie Dove. Holiday had a rough childhood which involved, unstable parents, drugs, and prostitution, but was able to break through that with a successful music career. During the early 30’s she moved to Harlem and began singing in various after hours clubs and was discovered by music producer John Hammond. Her career took off and she was immediately noticed for her distinctive phrasing, expressive, and sometimes melancholy voice. Throughout her career she has graced many stages and has inspired and touched hearts of not only her fans but other musical artist. Holiday worked with several jazz legends including Teddy Wilson, Count Basie, Artie Shaw and Lester Young. She had a close friendship with Young who nicked named her Lady Day because of the white gardenia she was known for wearing in her hair and her sophistication in song. Strange Fruit and God bless the Child were two of her most famous songs. Holiday died July 19th 1959 at age 44 from drug and alcohol abuse. Today she is still recognized as one of the best female jazz vocalist of all time, and in 2000, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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