“The first lady of song ”

Ella Jane Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Va. on April 25, 1917.Ella and her mother moved to Yonkers, N.Y. Ella enjoyed dancing and singing with her friends. Her grades in school dropped dramatically, and she frequently skipped school. After getting into trouble with the police, she was taken into custody and sent to a reform school. She was often beaten by her care takers and escaped when she was 15.

In 1934 Ella has the opportunity to compete in Amateur Night at the Apollo. Ella went to the theater and sang. The crowd loved her and wanted her to sing more. Ella began entering and winning each talent show she was in. In January she won the chance to perform for a week with the Tiny Bradshaw band at the Harlem Opera House.

Ella recorded a version of the nursery rhyme, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket." The album sold 1 million copies, hit number one, and stayed on the pop charts for 17 weeks. The band was renamed "Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Band” Ella began appearing on television variety shows. She was a guest on "The Bing Crosby Show," "The Dinah Shore Show," "The Frank Sinatra Show," "The Ed Sullivan Show," "The Tonight Show," "The Nat King Cole Show," "The Andy Williams Show" and "The Dean Martin Show."

Norman refused to accept any type of discrimination. While in Dallas touring for the Philharmonic, a police squad irritated by Norman's principles barged backstage to hassle the performers. They came into Ella's dressing room and arrested everyone. Norman wasn't the only one willing to stand up for Ella. She received support from celebrity fans, including Marilyn Monroe.

In September of 1986, Ella underwent quintuple coronary bypass surgery. Doctors diagnosed her with diabetes, which they blamed for her failing eyesight. Despite protests by every one, Ella returned to the stage. By the 1990s, Ella had recorded over 200 albums. In 1991, she gave her final concert at New York's renowned Carnegie Hall. As the effects from her diabetes worsened, Ella was forced to have both of her legs amputated below the knees. She never fully recovered from the surgery, and rarely performed. On June 15, 1996, Ella Fitzgerald died in her Beverly Hills home.