Billie Holiday

Abstract

Billie Holiday, the daughter of Clarence Holiday, a banjo and guitar player who worked with Fletcher Henderson's band in the early 1930s, and Sadie Harris, won an appearance at the Apollo Theatre in 1933. Paralyzed by stage fright, she had to be pushed onto the stage. After the Apollo, she sang with Count Basie. (Lyric Theatre Collection / Peabody Archives)