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."