Share on X (Twitter)Share on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare on WhatsApp 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 a 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, the 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 neighbor Wilbur Rich attempted rape on her. She was sent to the 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.
Career
Billie Holiday started her music career in 1929 with neighbor 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, her 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.
See Also
Billie Holiday Biography - life, family, childhood, name, death, history, mother, young, information, born, drugsIn 1935, she played a part in the 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 a vocalist. The band moved from one city to another performing one-nighters in different clubs. In 1938, she became the 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, a 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 into the ‘Grammy Hall of Fame’ in 2005.
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 trendsetter in jazz music. In 1941, her song ‘God Bless the Child’ became a major hit, selling millions of records. It reached the 25th rank in the charts and was placed in the third position as the song of the year in Billboard. The pop hit ‘Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)’ specifically written for her is still 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 the 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’ in West Virginia. She was released early due to good behavior on March 16, 1948. She was arrested on January 22, 1949, at San Francisco’s Hotel Mark Twain.
FAQs
Throughout her life, Holiday faced many personal tragedies and became addicted to drugs. She served a prison sentence and reportedly had several dalliances with her fellow women prisoners. Holiday was open about her bisexuality despite not being socially acceptable at the time.
What happened to Billie Holiday when she was a child? ›
Born Eleanora fa*gan in Baltimore (or some say Philadelphia) in 1915, Holiday's childhood was marred by horrific abuse—despite the best efforts of her beloved mother, Sadie, who was only 13 when she had Holiday. Always a self-starter, Holiday began singing as a child, while cleaning neighbors' homes for money.
What was Billie Holiday's favorite color? ›
Billie was 22 years old at the time. As I mentioned earlier, this article states her favorite colors as being "black, white, and green", but most of what she has in her dressing room that evening strays from this.
Why is Billie Holiday a hero? ›
During her lifetime, Billie Holiday battled internal and external demons, yet rather than give in to the pain and hardships she experienced, she used her voice to sing about and bring attention to racial injustices that she had witnessed.
Why is Billie Holiday famous for kids? ›
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer. She is considered by some to be the greatest jazz singer of all time. Holiday is also known by her nickname Lady Day. Holiday was born Eleanora Harris on April 7, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Why was Billie Holiday so unique? ›
Considered by many to be one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time, Billie Holiday triumphed over adversity to forever change the genres of jazz and pop music with her unique styling and interpretation. Holiday left employment as a maid to pursue work as a dancer in Harlem nightclubs.
Did Billie Holiday have a baby? ›
Holiday was childless, but she had two godchildren: singer Billie Lorraine Feather (the daughter of Leonard Feather) and Bevan Dufty (the son of William Dufty).
How did Billie Holiday get famous? ›
Holiday began her career singing in a Harlem nightclub and made her first recordings in 1933, with Benny Goodman and others. Two years later a series of recordings with Teddy Wilson and members of Count Basie's band brought her wider recognition and launched her career as the leading jazz singer of her time.
Why did Billie Holiday change her name? ›
Thus, from seemingly nowhere, a new star was born out of Eleanora fa*gan who had long since changed her name to Billie Holiday – Billie in honor of her favorite actress and Baltimorean Billie Dove and Holiday due to her infatuation with her erratic father and the recognition the name could earn her in Harlem's nightlife ...
Where is Billie Holiday buried? ›
Detailed map of New Saint Raymond's Cemetery in Bronx NY. Holiday's burial site is in the St. Paul section, Row 56, Grave #29. Grave marker of Billie Holiday.
Yet Holiday's talent as a songwriter is often overlooked, even though she co-authored at least 15 songs, five of which have become jazz and blues classics: “Billie's Blues,” “Fine and Mellow,” “Don't Explain,” “Lady Sings the Blues” and “God Bless the Child.” The last is her most popular song, covered by artists ...
Who was Billie Holiday's closest friend? ›
Today is National Friendship Day! The intensely intimate but totally platonic relationship that developed between Young and Holiday from 1934 was publicly recognized during their lifetime. In the 30s Billie Holiday and Lester Young recorded a series of memorable sides together.
How much money did Billie Holiday have when she died? ›
In 1959, jazz singer Billie Holiday died without a will. She was 44 years old. At the time, she had almost no money in her bank accounts, but she reportedly had about $750 strapped to her leg.
What was Billie Holiday's flower? ›
Both the plant and the flower became 'cool jazz' and came to symbolise sensuality, glamour and femininity, but also mystery: Billie liked to wear several flowers or one very large Gardenia above her ear. Too big to ignore, but also almost big enough to hide behind, this gave the Gardenia an extra hint of excitement.
What are the important life events of Billie Holiday? ›
She married trombonist Jimmy Monroe on August 25, 1941. While still married, she became involved with trumpeter Joe Guy, her drug dealer. She divorced Monroe in 1947 and also split with Guy. In October 1949, Holiday recorded "Crazy He Calls Me", which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2010.
What was Billie Holiday's life like? ›
Living in extreme poverty, Holiday dropped out of school in the fifth grade and found a job running errands in a brothel. When she was twelve, Holiday moved with her mother to Harlem, where she was eventually arrested for prostitution.
What was Billie Holiday's life and legacy? ›
Considered by many to be one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time, Billie Holiday triumphed over adversity to forever change the genres of jazz and pop music with her unique styling and interpretation. Holiday left employment as a maid to pursue work as a dancer in Harlem nightclubs.
What is Billie Jean story? ›
The song tells the story of a woman named Billie Jean who claims that the narrator is the father of her child. Despite his denials, she continues to insist on his responsibility, causing turmoil in his life.
