Peggy Lee holds a special place in the history of American popular and jazz music. From her birth on May 26, 1920, to her final recording on August 26, 1995, to the New Yorker’s obituary from February of 2002, this chronological record covers every moment of her professional life. Detailed entries describe recordings (both albums and songs), radio and television appearances, her work in films, and her songwriting efforts, drawing from interviews with Lee and others, nightclub and concert reviews, and a wealth of other sources. Appendices list CD releases of Lee’s recordings and the songs she composed. Illustrated with many rare photographs.

Robert Strom lives in San Leandro, California.

Robert Strom
Foreword by Keely Smith
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 311
Bibliographic Info: 98 photos, discography, appendices, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2014 [2005]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-9568-9
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vii

Foreword by Keely Smith      1

Preface      3

1. If I Could Swing with a Band (1920 to 1940)      5

2. The Benny Goodman Years and the First Capitol Period (1940 to 1951)      17

3. Decca (1952 to 1957)      53

4. Return to Capitol (1957 to 1967)      77

5. Grammy Winner (1968 to 1972)      129

6. Becoming a Legend (1972 to 1982)      157

7. There’ll Be Another Spring (1982 to 1988)      193

8. Peggy Sings the Blues (1988 to 1995)      219

Epilogue (Nancy Franklin)       242

Closing Comments      244

Appendix A. Miss Peggy Lee on CD      247

Appendix B. Songs Written by Miss Peggy Lee      281

Bibliography      285

Index      287

“what an absorbing book it is!”—Big Band Jump Newsletter; “genuinely worthy portrait…labor of love”—Jazztimes; “compiled with tender loving care…highly recommended”—InTune International.