Billie Holiday

One of the world's most acclaimed blues singers, Billie Holiday was born in Baltimore, Maryland. She was given the name Eleanor Fagan Gough at birth, but changed her name when she started to develop a singing career. Billie moved to New York in 1929 to sing in the Harlem night clubs. She quickly became a featured vocalist for several well known bands at that time.

Lester Young, a member of Count Basie's Band, called Billie "Lady Day" because of her unique style of singing the blues. Soon, Billie was able to land a contract with a major record company which increased her fame and popularity. Some of her recordings are considered classics in the blues field of music.

Many people remember her recordings of "God Bless the Child" and "My Man ." She also sang "Strange Fruit" a song that protests lynching. Today, radio stations that specialize in playing the blues and jazz still play some of Billie's recordings.

In 1973, a film "The Lady Sings the Blues " portrayed the life of Billie Holiay with the singer/actress Dianah Ross in the lead role.. Sadly, the life of Billie Holiday ended in tragedy. At the young age of 44, she died from a problem with alcohol and drug addiction.

Nevertheless, in Baltimore, a contest to discover new blues singers is held in her name each year . Also, the statue pictured on the left was erected in her honor in east Baltimore as a final tribute from her hometown.

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