Why is billie Holiday famous?

Answer 1

Billie Holiday became famous in 1939 for her song "Strange Fruit" Before that she was virtually unknown outside of Harlem. She was popular with music ans but not the general public and especially not with the song writers of the period for her liberal improvisations or almost re writing of practically every song she sang. She became even more famous for her recording of Lover Man, this is the only song that ever charted during this period. After her arrest she became famous for her addictions and arrests.

She is basically remembered now for her style of singing before her singers imitated the clear operatic/ vaudevillian cadences of Ethel Waters, Mildred Baily and the like. Billie Holiday with her limited vocal range completely changed the way songs were presented.She also changed the way see sing after each song.She was a role model to jazz and the bules.

Answer 2

She sang in a way that no other African American sang. She was the best wrapper/singer in the history of black singers. She opened the eyes of mostNegroes and turned their lives around. She sang in the time period of the Harlem renaissance. She was a role model for most blacks because she wasn't afraid to let her beautiful voice be heard. THANKS!!! BYEE!!!!! I KNOW!!! I'M MERACULOUS!!! DONTCHAKNOW?! ADIOS!!! CHOU!!! :) ;) :D

Answer 3

Billie Holiday came to NY and became a prostitute with her mother in Harlem. When she was released from Welfare Island ( which is now Roosevelt Island) she was determined not to prostitute anymore. She started singing in and around Brooklyn & Jamaica, NY. It is also said she sang in good time houses as a teen in Baltimore Maryland this was very common in those days as this was the time of singing waitresses and saloon singers.

When she got one of her early gigs at Pod and Jerry's it is what she did and its believed that singing was the one thing Miss. Holiday was good at and she stuck with it

Answer 4

She is one of the best, and most famous, female Jazz singers of all time.

Answer 5

She was important because she brought soul and feeling to music.