Died On This Date (June 15, 1996) Ella Fitzgerald / Jazz Legend

themusicsover June 15, 2010 7 Comments

Ella Fitzgerald
April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996

With a career that spanned nearly 60 years and achievements that included thirteen Grammys, there is no doubt that Ella Fitzgerald was one of the most important voices in popular music.  After making her singing debut at the Harlem Opera House at the age of 17, Fitzgerald quickly earned a spot at one of the Apollo Theater’s famed amateur nights and handily took first prize.  Within a year, she was singing in front of the Chick Webb Orchestra, staying with him until he died in 1939.  She subsequently took over the band with which she had recorded upwards of 150 songs.  In 1942, Fitzgerald signed a solo deal with the famed Decca label where she stayed until she moved over to the legendary Verve Records.  By now she was one of the most popular vocalists in the world.  Fitzgerald continued to record and perform throughout the ’80s, but due to poor health, made her last record in 1991 and final performance in 1993.  Ella Fitzgerald suffered from diabetes in her final years, and succumbed to it on June 15, 1996.

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