Billie Holiday (Eleanora Fagan)

Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan in 1915, was an influential American jazz and blues singer known for her emotive voice and unique phrasing. With a career that spanned over three decades, she became famous for songs like "Strange Fruit," which addressed racial injustice, and "God Bless the Child." Holiday's style blended jazz with pop, making her a significant figure in music history. Despite facing personal struggles, including racism and addiction, her artistry left a lasting legacy, shaping the future of jazz and inspiring countless artists. She passed away in 1959, remembered as a true icon of American music.