Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee, born Norma Deloris Egstrom on May 26, 1920, in Jamestown, North Dakota, was an influential American singer and songwriter known for her alluring and delicately husky voice. She overcame a challenging childhood, marked by the loss of her mother and subsequent abuse by her stepmother, by finding solace in music. Starting her professional singing career as a teenager on a Fargo, North Dakota radio station, she was given the stage name Peggy Lee by a program director.
Lee's big break came in 1941 when Benny Goodman heard her sing in a Chicago nightclub and hired her as a vocalist for his band. Her first major hit with Goodman was "Why Don’t You Do Right" in 1942. She married Goodman's guitarist, Dave Barbour, in 1943, with whom she collaborated on several hit songs, including "It's a Good Day" and "Mañana," the latter becoming the most popular recording of 1948.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Lee remained a top vocalist, known for hits like "Lover" and "Fever," the latter earning her a Grammy Award. She was also a prolific songwriter, collaborating with notable figures such as Mel Tormé, Duke Ellington, and Quincy Jones. Additionally, she co-wrote the score for Disney's "Lady and the Tramp" and provided voices for four characters in the film.
Lee's career spanned seven decades, during which she redefined the role of a female singer and became a creative powerhouse involved in all aspects of her performances. She was highly regarded by her peers, with Duke Ellington and Frank Sinatra among those who praised her talent. Peggy Lee passed away on January 21, 2002, in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a legacy of timeless music and influence on future generations of artists.
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