Home	Billie Holiday Trivia / Highlights	JAZZ / BLUES FASHION SHOP T-Shirt, Clothing, Sweatshirt, Outdoor Jazz / Blues T-Shirts Music T-Shirt Shop T-Shirts Long Sleeve T-Shirts Women's T-Shirts POSTER SHOP Billie Holiday Bob Marley The Doors Jimi Hendrix Michael Jackson Janis Joplin Led Zeppelin Madonna Nirvana Music Poster Shop Music Styles: Jazz Music R&B & Soul Vintage Posters Calendars Music Calendars
Billie Holiday Main Page Detailed Biography&Facts Discography, Albums Filmography, Movies Quotes Trivia, Highligts Awards, Nominations, Honors Billie Holiday Images, Pictures, Photos: Billie Holiday Picture Gallery Next: Michael Jackson Previous: Jimi Hendrix Music Legends: Tupac Bob Dylan The Grateful Dead Janis Joplin Led Zeppelin Bob Marley Pink Floyd The Rolling Stones	Birth Name is Eleanora Fagan Gough, she used the name "Billie Holiday" because of her admiration for film star Billie Dove. She was discovered by John Hammond. Cousin of former boxing champion turned minister Henry Armstrong. In 1933, Hammond organized her first recording session with Benny Goodman. Her early band was organized by pianist Teddy Wilson. Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1979. At one time, her sidemen included Benny Goodman and Roy Eldridge. She died with 70 cents in the bank and $750 strapped to her leg - a reminder of her life-long fear of poverty. At the time of her birth, her mother, Sadie Fagan (born Sarah Harris), was just 13. Her father, Clarence Holiday, was 15. It's uncertian if they ever married. Clarence abandoned Sadie when Billie was an infant. In 1959, narcotic addiction was a crime, not an illness. She was arrested on her deathbed. Billie had no cabaret card and this kept her from working in New York City clubs for the last 12 years of her life. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 (under the category Early Influence). Posthumously inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for "God Bless The Child" (1976), "Strange Fruit" (1978), "Lover Man" (1989), and "Lady In Satin" (2000) Made her recording debut on "Your Mother's Son-In-Law" (1933) with Benny Goodman. In 1937, she teamed up with Count Basie. Established a lifelong relationship with Lester Young "Prez." In 1939, she introduced "Strange Fruit" & "God Bless the Child." Portrayed in the movie "Lady Sings the Blues." In 1946, she gave a triumphant concert at Town Hall and appeared in the film "New Orleans." In 1954, she toured Europe. Died on July 17,1959. Was the common-law wife of trumpeter Joe Guy (1951-1957), but they always identified themselves to people as husband and wife. She was separated from her last husband, Louis McKay, at the time of her death. Her given name was Eleanora - "Billie" came from silent screen star Billie Dove. Her grandfather was one of 17 children born to a black Virginia slave and her white Irish master. Ranked #6 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock N Roll.