Who was Billie Holiday? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Eleanora Fagan

Died At Age: 44

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Jimmy Monroe, Joe Guy, Louis McKay

father: Clarence Holiday

mother: Sarah Julia Fagan

Born Country: United States

Bisexual Jazz Singers

Height: 5'5" (165 cm), 5'5" Females

Died on: July 17, 1959

place of death: New York City, New York, United States

U.S. State: Pennsylvania

Cause of Death: Cirrhosis

City: Philadelphia

Recommended For You

1

What impact did Billie Holiday have on the music industry?

Billie Holiday had a profound impact on the music industry by pioneering a new style of jazz singing that emphasized emotion and storytelling. Her unique voice and innovative phrasing influenced countless singers and musicians across genres.
2

What were some of the challenges Billie Holiday faced during her career?

Billie Holiday faced numerous challenges during her career, including racism, sexism, substance abuse, and legal troubles. Despite these obstacles, she continued to perform and create music that resonated with audiences.
3

How did Billie Holiday's personal struggles influence her music?

Billie Holiday's personal struggles, including her experiences with addiction, poverty, and abusive relationships, deeply influenced her music. Her emotive performances and raw, honest lyrics reflected the pain and resilience she experienced in her own life.
4

What was the significance of Billie Holiday's song "Strange Fruit?"

Billie Holiday's rendition of "Strange Fruit," a haunting protest song about racism and lynchings in the United States, became a powerful anthem for the civil rights movement. The song's stark imagery and emotional delivery made it a lasting symbol of resistance and social justice.
5

How did Billie Holiday's artistry change over the course of her career?

Throughout her career, Billie Holiday's artistry evolved as she experimented with new musical styles and collaborated with different musicians. Despite facing personal challenges, she continued to push boundaries and innovate, leaving a lasting impact on the world of music.

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Childhood & Early Life

Billie Holiday was born in Philadelphia on April 7, 1915 to Sarah Juliah and Clarance Holiday who were neither married nor living together.

She faced a challenging childhood. Her father, who was a jazz guitarist, left them to pursue career in music. Her mother Sarah had to keep Billie in Baltimore at Eva Miller’s house who was Sarah’s half sister. The first ten years, she was mostly raised by Martha Miller, mother-in-law of Eva.

On January 5, 1925, a juvenile court sent her to Catholic reform school ‘The House of the Good Shepherd’ due to her truancy in school.

On December 24, 1926, her neighbour Wilbur Rich attempted rape on her. She was sent to protective custody of ‘House of the Good Shepherd’.

Her mother left for Harlem in New York in 1928, leaving her with Martha Miller. She joined her mother in Harlem in 1929, who by that time had become a prostitute. Within no time, Billie also began working as a prostitute even before the age of 14.

The brothel was raided on May 2, 1929 when both of them were taken into custody. While her mother was released in July, she was released in October.

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Female Jazz Singers

American Jazz Singers

Career

Billie Holiday started her music career in 1929 with neighbour Kenneth Hollan. During 1929 to 1931, they performed at various clubs including ‘Brooklyn Elks’ Club’, ‘Grey Dawn’ and ‘Mexico’s’.

In 1932, she was inducted at a club at West 132nd Street replacing singer Monette Moore where Producer John Hammond heard her.

In November 1933, he voice was recorded for the first time under the arrangement of John Hammond. Her two songs along with Benny Goodman were released on November 11. One of them, ‘Riffin' the Scotch’ was an instant hit and saw a whopping sale of 5,000 copies.

In 1935, she played a part in musical short ‘Symphony in Black: A Rhapsody of Negro Life’ starring Duke Ellington. It featured her in a song ‘Saddest Tale’ sung by her. She signed with ‘Brunswick Records’ and collaborated with Teddy Wilson to record pop music in swing style. Their first record ‘What a Little Moonlight Can Do’ gave her recognition as an artist.

From 1936 to 1938 she, along with Teddy Wilson, appeared in a series of phenomenal performances co-produced by Bernie Hanighen and John Hammond. Tunes like ‘Twenty-Four Hours a Day’ were turned into jazz classics by the two singers.

Billie Holiday had a brief encounter with jazz pianist Count Basie in 1937 when she joined a band as vocalist. The band moved from one city to other performing one-nighters in different clubs.

In 1938 she became first black woman to team up with a white orchestra when she was hired by Artie Shaw. In March 1938, they both were broadcast on WABC now WCBS, famous radio station in New York. ‘Any Old Time’ was the only song she could record with Shaw.

In 1939 she performed ‘Strange Fruit’ in ‘Cafe Society’, a nightclub. She subsequently recorded it for ‘Commodore Records’ and later for ‘Verve”. It eventually became a big hit.

Songs that she performed with Teddy Wilson during the 1930s were recorded in 1944 by Commodore. She also recorded her version of ‘Embraceable You’, which was inducted in the ‘Grammy Hall of Fame’ in 2005.

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In September 1946, she starred in a film, ‘New Orleans’, opposite Woody Herman and Louis Armstrong. The track ‘The Blues Are Brewin’ was recorded by her.

She had several music releases from 1949 till 1959 including full length albums. Her October 1949 recorded song ‘Crazy He Calls Me’ for ‘Decca’ was counted as her most successful rendition. Her autobiography ‘Lady Sings The Blues’ was published in 1956 by Doubleday. Her final album ‘Billie Holiday’ was released with MGM in 1958.

Major Works

Her first record with Teddy Wilson ‘What a Little Moonlight Can Do’ became a trend setter in jazz music.

In 1941, her song ‘God Bless the Child’ became a major hit, selling millions of records. It reached 25th rank in the charts and was placed in the third position as song of the year in Billboard.

Pop hit ‘Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)’ specifically written for her is till date her highest charted hit.

Personal Life & Legacy

On August 25, 1941, Billie married Jimmy Monroe, a trombonist but divorced him in 1947.

She married Louis McKay on March 28, 1957, who was a Mafia enforcer but separated later. Though issueless, Bevan Dufty and singer Billie Lorraine Feather were her two godchildren.

On July 17, 1959 she died in New York due to cirrhosis of liver and was buried in Bronx County, New York at Saint Raymond’s Cemetery.

She was arrested in NY on May 16, 1947, for possessing narcotics and sentenced to ‘Alderson Federal Prison Camp’ at West Virginia. She was released early due to good behaviour on March 16, 1948. .

She was arrested on January 22, 1949, at San Francisco's Hotel Mark Twain.

Facts About Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday's unique vocal style was influenced by her childhood experiences singing in the streets of Baltimore for money.

She was known for wearing gardenias in her hair while performing, which became her signature look.

Despite facing discrimination and hardship throughout her life, Billie Holiday remained resilient and continued to make a significant impact on the world of jazz music.

She had a deep love for animals, especially dogs, and often traveled with her beloved pets.

Billie Holiday was a talented songwriter in addition to being a renowned singer, and she co-wrote many of her iconic songs.

2002	Best Historical Album	Winner
1994	Best Historical Album	Winner
1994	Best Album Notes	Winner
1994	Best Recording Package	Winner
1992	Best Historical Album	Winner
1992	Best Album Package	Winner
1987	Lifetime Achievement Award	Winner
1980	Best Historical Reissue Album	Winner

Billie Holiday Biography

You wanted to know

What impact did Billie Holiday have on the music industry?

What were some of the challenges Billie Holiday faced during her career?

How did Billie Holiday's personal struggles influence her music?

What was the significance of Billie Holiday's song "Strange Fruit?"

How did Billie Holiday's artistry change over the course of her career?