Billie Holiday is the definition of a legend. Lady Day is easily one of the best jazz musicians to ever grace the planet! Her vocal range was SICK. No one can touch Billie in her hey day! Billie gets her flowers because she was truly one of a kind. & that’s PERIOD.

A lot of our favorite R&B girls have paid their homage to our precious Billie!

Diana Ross’ portrayal of Billie Holiday is simply legendary! Although the film is loosely based on Billie’s autobiography..Diana SLAYED the musical numbers. She had time, & I’m ready to argue with anyone about it 🤷🏾‍♂️

The 30s:

Albums Released: N/A

Billie started as a teenager singing in Harlem nightclubs, & took the professional name “Billie Holiday” from her favorite actress Billie Dove, & Holiday from her father Clarence Holiday who was also a musician.

Billie eventually met John Hammond who is a producer…& he arranged for Billie to make her recording debut with Benny Goodman. Her songs “Your mother’s Son-in-Law” & “Riffin’ the Scotch” gave her tunes really early! She was 18 snapping like this. 18!

Billie eventually found herself in the company of jazz legends like Count Basie, Lester Young, Teddy Wilson & Duke Ellington!

In 1939, Billie was introduced to the song “Strange Fruit,” which is based on a poem about lynching. Billie’s popularity reached an all time high after releasing this song.

The 40s:

Albums Released: N/A

Billie’s most popular and covered record is “God Bless The Child.” It is indeed, a SONG! The song was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Billie continued to drop hit after hit! Billie is also remembered for selling out Carnegie Hall In 1948! A QUEEN.

The 50s:

Albums Released: Billie Holiday Sings, An Evening with Billie Holiday, Billie Holiday, Music for Torching, Billie Holiday at JATP, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday at Newport, Velvet Mood, Lady Sings the Blues, Body and Soul, Songs for Distingué Lovers, Stay with Me, All or Nothing at All, Lady In Satin, Last Recording.

By the 1950s, her voice started to deteriorate due to her drug & drinking addiction. However, she still had time in the booth!

Billie passed away July 17th, 1959, at the young age of 44. Billie will forever live on through her music, and the legacy she left behind. Her voice will always reign as one of the best among legendary black musicians.