How bad did Billie Holiday have it? You have no idea. Coming up in the 1930s, she faced raw racism and sexism head on, but the challenges and injustices the singular vocalist endured took a toll and led to a life of alcohol and drug abuse. The origins of her blues, why she started wearing gardenias in her hair, how she first became addicted to heroin are revealed in The Long Night of Lady Day, a fine 1984 documentary by John Jeremy.
This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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