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Peggy Lee

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Peggy Lee was born in 1920 as Norma Deloris Egstrom in Jamestown, North Dakota, in a family of Swedish and Norwegian descent. Her mother died when she was four. She began as a singer on local radio and then joined the big band of Benny Goodman. She built up a refined image and also wrote music for films, acted in films herself and recorded concept albums in which poetry and music came together. Her career spanned seven decades. She recorded more than 1,100 masters and co-wrote more than 270 songs.

Music and breakthrough

She recorded her best-known hits for Capitol Records: Why Don't You Do Right? in 1943, Fever in 1958 and Is That All There Is? in 1969. The last two earned her a Grammy. Albums from those years include Black Coffee With Peggy Lee (1953), Dream Street (1957) and Jump for Joy (1958). Towards the end of her career she chose pure vocal jazz, for example on Miss Peggy Lee Sings the Blues from 1988.

Influence

Lee is also known for Disney's Lady and the Tramp, in which she spoke and sang the parts of Darling, Peg and the Siamese cats, among others. For her role in Pete Kelly's Blues she received an Oscar nomination in 1956. She died in 2002.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Fever and notice Lee's singing. Try to hear how restrained and controlled she sounds.

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: Artists