Full Name: Eleanora Fagan
Profession: Jazz Musician
Nationality:
American
Why Famous: Nicknamed "Lady Day", she had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing. Her vocal style, strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists, pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo.
Born: April 7, 1915
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Rabbit
Star Sign: Aries
Died: July 17, 1959 (aged 44)
Cause of Death: Complications from cirrhosis of the liver
Married Life
- 1941-08-25 Jazz musician Billie Holiday (26) weds trombonist Jimmy Monroe
- 1957-03-28 Jazz musician Billie Holiday (41) weds mafia enforcer Louis McKay
Historical Events
- 1929-05-02 Billie Holiday (14) and her mother are arrested for prostitution following a raid of a brothel in Harlem
- 1933-11-11 Billie Holiday's second song and first hit, "Riffin' the Scotch", is released
- 1947-05-16 Billie Holiday is arrested in her New York apartment for possession of narcotics
- 1948-03-16 Billie Holiday is released from prison early because of good behaviour
- 1948-03-27 Just 11 days after being released from prison, Billie Holiday plays in front of a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall
- 2014-06-08 Audra McDonald wins a Tony for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar And Grill"
Quotes by Billie Holiday
- "You've got to have something to eat and a little love in your life before you can hold still for any damn body's sermon on how to behave."
Ornette Coleman
Tiny Grimes
Tommy Dorsey
Jason Newsted
Lead Belly
Trent Reznor