Peggy Lee: One Sophisticated Lady

Today is the birthday of Peggy Lee (1920-2002) a versatile entertainer who could wrap a song in her personality like few other singers of her century. While most of them went loud she chose rich, seductive, and stylish. Her method caught the eye and ear of bandleader Benny Goodman in 1941 and for the next five decades her sophistication, warmth and intimacy touched millions of fans.

Lee in 1950

With her persona expressed through singing, the composition of both music and lyrics, and acting, it's easy to see why the always glamorously dressed Lee was introduced to audiences as "Miss Peggy Lee." And it's no wonder that such an "in charge" personality could become the model for one of the most beloved characters in television history. That the character is none other than a Muppet may surprise you. It is a story of caricature, humor, reverence, and unexpected fame. Read about it here in this brief Smithsonian Magazine interview.

Lee was born on May 26 in Jamestown, North Dakota. Her recording still sell well almost two decades after her death and can be heard regularly on jazz and popular music stations and channels around the world. She had a near constant string of hits from the 40's through the '60's including this 1937 song by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Her performance, conducted by Frank Sinatra, was recorded in 1957 for the album, The Man I Love.

That's all there is!

Sources

Photos and Illustrations:
public domain publicity photo

Text:
Peggy Lee, Wikipedia.org