Portrait of Peggy Lee

Peggy Lee

Origin: Jamestown, North Dakota, USA Years: May 26, 1920 - January 21, 2002

Peggy Lee, born Norma Deloris Egstrom, was an American singer, songwriter, and actress whose sophisticated vocal style and versatility made her one of the most influential performers of 20th century. Known for hits like 'Fever,' 'Why Don't You Do Right,' and 'Is That All There Is?', Lee recorded over 1,100 songs across jazz, pop, and country genres. Her songwriting credits included 'He's a Tramp' and contributions to Disney's 'Lady and the Tramp.' A 13-time Grammy nominee with 3 wins, plus Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations, Lee pioneered vocal jazz technique and influenced countless singers including Diana Krall and Norah Jones. Her smooth, intimate delivery and interpretive skills defined popular music for five decades.

JazzPopTraditional PopVocal JazzSwingCountryCabaret

Discography Overview

During her recording career from 1941 to 1995, Lee released over 1,100 songs across Decca, Capitol, and other labels, with over 50 charting on Billboard's Hot 100, 12 reaching Top 10, and 1 hitting number one: 'Fever' (1958). Her Billboard Country chart success included 10 entries, with 3 reaching Top 10. Her songwriting credits included 'He's a Tramp' for Disney's 'Lady and the Tramp' (1955) and contributions to over 200 songs. Lee won 3 Grammy Awards from 13 nominations, received Academy Award nominations for 'Pete Kelly's Blues' (1955) and 'The Heart is a Lonely Hunter' (1968), and Golden Globe nomination for 'Pete Kelly's Blues.' Her recordings have sold over 30 million copies worldwide, with 'Fever' becoming one of most covered songs in music history with over 500 versions.

Key Albums

  • Black Coffee (1956)
  • Peggy Lee (1957)
  • The Man I Love (1957)
  • Jump into My Fire (1960)
  • Two Shows Nightly (1961)
  • Mirrors (1975)

Key Songs

  • Fever
  • Why Don't You Do Right
  • Is That All There Is?
  • I'm a Woman
  • Big Spender
  • It's a Good Day
  • Manana
  • Golden Earrings
  • Don't Smoke in Bed
  • Lover
  • The Right to Love
  • Pass Me By

Career Timeline

  1. 1937 Began singing with Benny Goodman Orchestra as 'Peggy Lee'; first radio performances
  2. 1941 Recorded debut single 'Why Don't You Do Right' with Benny Goodman; became major hit
  3. 1942 Left Benny Goodman Orchestra; began solo career with Decca Records
  4. 1943 Released 'I Don't Want to Walk Without You' and 'Somebody Else is Taking My Place'
  5. 1946 Married guitarist Dave Barbour; formed successful duo with him
  6. 1947 Released 'Golden Earrings' and 'Manana (Is Soon Enough for Me)'; continued chart success
  7. 1948 Released 'It's a Good Day'; signature song defined her optimistic style
  8. 1950 Signed with Capitol Records; began most prolific period
  9. 1952 Nominated for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 'The Jazz Singer'
  10. 1954 Released 'Lover' and 'I'm a Woman'; demonstrated vocal versatility
  11. 1955 Nominated for Academy Award for 'Pete Kelly's Blues'; contributed to Disney's 'Lady and the Tramp'
  12. 1956 Released 'Black Coffee' album; Grammy Award nominee for Best Female Vocal Performance
  13. 1958 Released 'Fever'; became signature song and only number-one single
  14. 1960 Released 'Jump into My Fire' and 'Big Spender'; successful album
  15. 1961 Released 'Two Shows Nightly' live album; Grammy Award winner
  16. 1968 Released 'Is That All There Is?'; Grammy Award winner for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
  17. 1975 Released 'Mirrors' album; continued recording into 1980s
  18. 1990 Released final studio album 'Peggy Lee with Quincy Jones'
  19. 1995 Retired from performing due to health issues
  20. 2002 Died from heart failure and diabetes complications in Los Angeles, California at age 81; career spanned 61 years
  21. 1999 Inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame
  22. 2014 Posthumously received Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

Influence Graph

How Peggy Lee sits in the influence chain

Influenced

  • Diana Krall
  • Norah Jones
  • K.d. Lang
  • Linda Ronstadt
  • Sade
  • Ruth Brown

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