The WOW Report

  • WOW Report
  • About
  • RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!
  • WOW Presents Plus
  • What to Watch
  • Store
You are here: Home / Life / Born This Day / That Time Marilyn Monroe Came to the Rescue of Ella Fitzgerald

That Time Marilyn Monroe Came to the Rescue of Ella Fitzgerald

By Stephen Rutledge on June 1, 2022 5:05 am

Screen-Grab via YouTube

In 1947, Ella Fitzgerald joined Norman Granz’s Jazz At The Philharmonic and toured the globe. Granz required promoters to ensure that there was no “colored” or “white” seating at the venues on the tour. He made certain that Fitzgerald received equal pay and accommodation. If the conditions were not met, shows were cancelled. There were many obstacles, even for the most popular African-American artists. Once, in Dallas, touring with the Philharmonic, angered by Granz’s directives, the police barged into Fitzgerald’s dressing room where band members were shooting dice, and arrested everyone. Fitzgerald:

“They took us down to the jail and then when we got there, they had the nerve to ask me for an autograph.“

Black musicians, regardless of popularity, had to enter and leave clubs, restaurants and hotels through a backdoor. During the 1950s, one of the most popular venues was The Mocambo in Hollywood. Frank Sinatra made his Los Angeles debut at The Mocambo in 1943, frequented by Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.

Fitzgerald was not allowed to play at Mocambo because of her race. Then, one of her biggest fans made a telephone call. Fitzgerald:

“I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt… she personally called the owner of The Mocambo, and told him she wanted me booked immediately, and if he would do it, she would take a front table every night. The owner said yes, and Marilyn was there, front table, every night. The press went overboard. After that, I never had to play a small jazz club again. She was an unusual woman, a little ahead of her times. And, she didn’t know it.“

I think I know such an awful lot about the Great American Songbook, but then I will be introduced to some gem that has eluded me for decades. Recently, my husband’s bidness partner brought me a recording of When I Get Low, I Get High by Ella Fitzgerald. I thought the lyric was: “When I Get HOME, I Get High”, which brought special relevance for me. I didn’t know this “Harlem High Life” tune before, but now it is a favorite. It is nice to have something old that is something new.

Certain artists just seem to reach through the restraints of listeners and fans of specific genres. It does’t make a difference if the bulk of your music collection is Heavy Metal, Rock, R&B, Funk, Hip Hop, Gospel, Show Tunes, Folk, Opera, or Symphonic Music; every music aficionado should always have, at the very least, a Greatest Hits package of Patsy Cline, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Sinatra, and Fitzgerald. Don’t you agree? Who would you add?

Show the love:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr

Filed Under: Born This Day, Culture, Entertainment, Life, Music, Music

More

ABBA! Nick Offerman! Murray Bartlett! David Bowie! The WOW Report for Radio Andy!

ABBA! Nick Offerman! Murray Bartlett! David Bowie! The WOW Report for Radio Andy!

by Blake Jacobs on February 3, 2023 11:00 am

Adam Joseph Reimagines Loosey LaDuca’s Talent Show Track “Let Loose”- Listen

Adam Joseph Reimagines Loosey LaDuca’s Talent Show Track “Let Loose”- Listen

by Paisley Dalton on January 31, 2023 9:28 am

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Trending


#TikTokTrend: Madonna Dancing to Gaga’s ‘Bloody Mary’ Has Fans Kinda Freaking TF Out –Watch

Robert Fux, Farao Groth & Kayo Are Sashaying to the ‘Drag Race Sverige’ Judging Panel

Monét X Change & Bob the Drag Queen Launch New Line, BOMO Beauty

The LOOK George Santos Gives After Being Asked “Who Do You Think Will Win Drag Race..?” –Watch

#80ForBrady: Trixie Quizzes Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Sally Field & Rita Moreno –Watch

About

From the creators of The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Party Monster, Million Dollar Listing, RuPaul's Drag Race, I Am Britney Jean, Big Freedia, and more.

Schiaperrelli! Madonna! Tom Hanks! Kylies Minogue & Jenner! The WOW Report for Radio Andy
Madonna! Joanna Lumley! Edgar Allan Poe! Jennifers Lopez AND Coolidge! The WOW Report for Radio Andy!
Prince Harry! Jennifer Coolidge! M3GAN! Jordan Peele! Randy Joins Us for the WOW Report for Radio Andy!
Rest in Perfection Barbara Walters and Anita Pointer! The WOW Report for Radio Andy!
ONJ! QE2! Leslie Jordan! Our In Memoriam Episode for 2002 on The WOW Report for Radio Andy

© 2021 World of Wonder Productions, Inc | World of Wonder is a trademark of World of Wonder Productions, Inc | Privacy

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in