There was a side of Billie Holiday fans never saw. You don't hear about it for the sad, simple reason that positive stories about Lady Day don’t fit the preferred tabloid storyline.
Thank you for this...sobering reminder of what/who actually killed her.
But why is Angela Davis (or anyone who isn't a white man for that matter) missing from this list? Surely someone else--besides them and Angela--has at some point done her some justice...?
I have been trying to find out what happened to Mister after her passing, but there doesn't seem to be any information about what became of him. I hope that someone who loved Billie and Mister took him in, but it's more likely that that poor guy was taken to the local shelter. It's just another tragedy to add to a tragedy; grieving the loss of his loving mama and not understanding why he ended up in such an awful place. RIP Mister and Billie - hopefully you're together again now.
I remember reading Lady Sings the Blues as a teenager and learning to play God Bless the Child on piano. She was an island oasis of pure emotion for my tortured teenage soul. RIP Billie.
Thank you for this...sobering reminder of what/who actually killed her.
But why is Angela Davis (or anyone who isn't a white man for that matter) missing from this list? Surely someone else--besides them and Angela--has at some point done her some justice...?
I have been trying to find out what happened to Mister after her passing, but there doesn't seem to be any information about what became of him. I hope that someone who loved Billie and Mister took him in, but it's more likely that that poor guy was taken to the local shelter. It's just another tragedy to add to a tragedy; grieving the loss of his loving mama and not understanding why he ended up in such an awful place. RIP Mister and Billie - hopefully you're together again now.
Really Great + In Honor of 🌹💗🌹
Thanks Ted…still heartbreaking.
This reminds me of your book and how the white elite often felt compelled to claim that successful black people were damaged, or a freak of nature.
A sad end indeed. I’d like to think that how people with addictions are treated today has changed.
Well done; thanks Ted. Truth is priceless.
As you say, the hungry press did not need to exaggerate the tragedies but they did. Sensationalism still sells well today.
I remember reading Lady Sings the Blues as a teenager and learning to play God Bless the Child on piano. She was an island oasis of pure emotion for my tortured teenage soul. RIP Billie.