1941-08-25 American jazz singer Billie Holiday (26) weds American jazz trombonist Jimmy Monroe; divorce in 1947
1957-03-28 Jazz musician Billie Holiday (41) weds mob enforcer Louis McKay
Historical Events
1929-05-02 Billie Holiday (14) and her mother are arrested for prostitution following a raid of a brothel in Harlem, New York City
1933-11-11 Billie Holiday's second song and first hit, "Riffin' the Scotch", is released
1938-09-15 Jazz piano prodigy Margaret Johnson (20) makes her only recording, four sides with Billie Holiday in NYC: Johnson dies of tuberculosis less than a year later
1944-01-18 The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City hosts a jazz concert for the first time - performers include Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Lionel Hampton, Mildred Bailey, Red Norvo, Roy Eldridge, Jack Teagarden, and Benny Goodman, via remote hook-up.
1947-04-18 "New Orleans", an American musical romance film premieres; Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday, in her only feature film, play supporting roles
1947-05-16 Billie Holiday is arrested in her New York apartment for possession of narcotics
1948-03-16 Jazz musician Billie Holiday is released early from Alderson Federal Prison Camp in West Virginia due to good behavior
1948-03-27 Just 11 days after being released from prison, jazz singer Billie Holiday plays in front of a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall, NYC
1957-12-08 CBS broadcasts "The Sound of Jazz", live from NYC: an all-star program featuring swing era and contemporary jazz artists, including Count Basie, Red Allen, Ben Webster;, Thelonious Monk, and Gerry Mulligan; highlight is the final collaboration of Billie Holiday and Lester Young on "Fine and Mellow"
1972-10-12 Paramount Pictures and Motown Productions release film "Lady Sings the Blues", very loosely based on singer Billie Holiday's autobiography, starring Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams
2000-03-06 15th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Eric Clapton; Earth, Wind, and Fire; Lovin' Spoonful; The Moonglows; Bonnie Raitt; James Taylor; Nat King Cole; Billie Holiday; Hal Blaine; "King" Curtis; James Jamerson; Scotty Moore; Earl Palmer; and Clive Davis
2014-06-08Audra McDonald wins a Tony Award for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar And Grill"
Quotes by Billie Holiday
"You've got to have something to eat and a little love in your life before you can hold still for any damn body's sermon on how to behave."
Buddy Rich
John Coltrane
Louis Armstrong
Herbie Hancock
Louis Jordan
Sid Vicious