Holiday, Billie

Billie Holiday was born on April 7, 1915 in Philadelphia and discovered by John Hammond singing in Harlem clubs. He arranged for her to record with Benny Goodman in 1933 which started her career. Two years later she joined a band led by Teddy Wilson and in 1937 recorded classics with Lester Young, who nick-named her "Lady Day". Some of her greatest hits included; "Fine and Mellow" "God Bless the Child" "Lover Man" "Don't Explain," "Good Morning Heartache" and "Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do". Her difficulties with heroin addiction and abusive relationships became the stuff of legend, melodramatically documented in the film "Lady Sings the Blues". She died at age 44 on July 17, 1959 in Metropolitan Hospital, New York.