Music Pick: Peggy Lee

Peggy Lee (1920-2002) was one of the most talented and influential singers of the Big Band Era and beyond. Her sixty year career spanned the late 30's to the late 90's. North Dakota born Norma Egstrom starting singing on local radio in 1937, moved to LA and wound up at the Ambassador East Hotel in Chicago where she was discovered by Benny Goodman in 1941. That gig made her a star till shortly before her 2002 death. Besides being a fabulous jazz and pop singer with a enchanting, sultry voice, Lee was a premier songwriter with hits such as Manana, Lady is a Tramp, Good Day, Johnny Guitar and I Don't Know Enough About You. Artists as diverse as Paul McCartney, Bette Midler, Madonna, Dusty Springfield and K.D. Lang all cite her influence.  Lee started acting in the 50's and copped a best supporting actress nomination in her second film "Pete Kelly's Blues".  I saw that flick in 1955 and have been a fan since. The feature is a film of her first big Goodman hit, the million seller "Why Don't You Do Right" from 1943. Lee looks terrific...and Benny looks interested. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdqvX-n25gs