Rumor has it that Marilyn Monroe’s vocal coach, very early in Monroe’s career, ordered her to buy all of Ella Fitzgerald’s records, and to listen to them 100 times in a row. This deep study of Fitzgerald’s singing made Monroe not only a pretty solid singer herself, but it brought about the beginning of a strange and beautiful friendship.
By the 1950’s, Ella Fitzgerald was jazz royalty. And yet, even she couldn’t sing in America’s biggest nightclubs. Bigotry kept her relegated to smaller venues, and forced her to enter through the kitchen. Even Fitzgerald’s agent, Norman Granz, who insisted that all his clients be treated equally, couldn’t get her on stage at some of the best jazz clubs.
One of those venues was Hollywood’s Mocambo Club. Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, and Lauren Bacall had reserved tables. But Ella wasn’t allowed through the door. That is, until Marilyn – now a superstar herself – made a phone call. “I told the owner to think of the publicity. I’d be there every night at the front table,” said Marilyn. And she did that very thing. She even brought Frank Sinatra along. “I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt,” said Ella. “After that, I never had to play a small jazz club again.”
This episode of “Soundtrack to the Struggle” was written and produced by Ron Adkins.
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