Billie Holiday

About

Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan on April 7, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a legendary American jazz singer. Known as "Lady Day," she is celebrated for her unique vocal style and interpretive skills, which significantly influenced jazz and pop music. Holiday's career began in Harlem nightclubs, where she was discovered by producer John Hammond. She made her recording debut in 1933 with Benny Goodman and gained fame in the 1930s with hits like "What a Little Moonlight Can Do" and collaborations with Lester Young and Count Basie. Holiday's most iconic song is "Strange Fruit," an anti-lynching poem that became a powerful protest anthem. She was one of the first Black women to perform with a white orchestra, working with Artie Shaw in 1938. Despite personal struggles, including drug addiction and legal issues, Holiday continued to perform and record music throughout the 1950s. Her autobiography, "Lady Sings the Blues," was published in 1956. Holiday's legacy extends beyond her music; she remains a cultural icon and a symbol of courage and artistic expression. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and continues to inspire musicians and artists today.