On April 25, 1918, Ella Fitzgerald—later hailed as the “First Lady of Song”—was born in Newport News, Virginia. Known for her unmatched vocal range, impeccable phrasing, and groundbreaking scat singing, Fitzgerald would go on to redefine American jazz and popular music.
Her rise to stardom began on a twist of fate. In 1934, at just 16 years old, an awkward and shy Ella took the stage during Amateur Night at Harlem’s Apollo Theater. She originally planned to dance but panicked once the spotlight hit. “The man said, ‘Do something while you’re out there,’” she later recalled. So she sang. And the crowd erupted. That night launched a legendary career that would span six decades, 13 Grammys, and millions of hearts.
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