Studio 1430 - Peggy Lee

Peggy Lee

Peggy Lee has been described as one of the “classiest” vocalists of the century, constantly mentioned alongside the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Holiday and Sarah Vaughan. Her voice is light with a delicate huskiness, offering intriguing contrasts with the large orchestral accompaniment that is usually a part of a Lee performance.

Despite her talented vocals, breaking into the music scene was not easy for Lee as she struggled as a young girl growing up in North Dakota. Losing her mother at the tender age of four, Lee maintained a rocky relationship with her stepmother and an alcoholic father. After pursuing her musical dreams in two unsuccessful stints in California, Peggy Lee finally got her break in Chicago in 1941 when the great Benny Goodman heard her sing and was convinced that she was exactly what his band needed. Within a few days she recorded the wildly successful “Elmer’sTune.” A handful of singles followed with Benny Goodman’s band before Lee married Goodman’s guitar player Dave Barbour and the two co-composed a series of successful records.

In the [late 1940s and early] 1950s she made several popular recordings for Capitol, the orchestral backings for many of which were arranged and conducted by Barbour. Lee was also active in films, performing the title song of "Johnny Guitar" (1954), and writing songs for others including "Tom Thumb" (1958). She also made a number of on-screen appearances in acting roles, including "The Jazz Singer" (1953), and for one, "Pete Kelly’s Blues" (1955), she was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress.

However, her most lasting fame in films lies in her off-screen work on Walt Disney’s "Lady and the Tramp," for which Lee wrote the song "He’s a Tramp" and provided the voice for the characters of Peg, the Siamese cats, and one other on-screen feline. Peggy Lee passed away on January 21, 2002 and she has left behind a legacy of graceful vocals as well as mentoring current artist like Paul McCartney, Bette Midler, K.D. Lang and Elvis Costello.

Top Hits Include: 1942- “Somebody Else is Taking My Place” 1943- “Why don’t you Do Right?” 1947- “Golden Earrings” 1948- “Manana” 1949- “Riders in the Sky”