Fever: The Life and Music of Miss Peggy Lee

This story of the life and music of Norma Deloris Egstrom from North Dakota has given all Pegy Lee fans a far more complete version of the most talented singer songwriter of the 20th century than her own Autobiography. Not only has Peter Richmond captured ever nuance of Peggy's complex character but he also has painted a picture of the American music scene of the 30's, 40's and 50's in intimate detail.Some of her loyal fans, particularly those like myself from, England, may be dissapointed to find she had, like all icons with talent of the highest order, many flaws. It was, however, the mental and physical anguish she suffered as a young woman, that formed her character and propelled her into immortality. I sincerley hope that her many fans in the USA will be lobbying to have Peggy Lee represented, Like her contemporaries, Benny Goodman,Count Basie, Billie Holliday etc, on a postage stamp in the Legends of American Music Series

I am from a past generation. Born in 1934. I had the chance to follow Peggy Lee for a number of years durning her life. The book helps me clearify some of the missing parts of her life. I love Peggy Lee and I have enjoyed the book.

Book describes two Peggy Lee's. The sexy musically savy live entertainer, who controlled the crowd by singing softer and softer so they would have to stop talking if they wanted to hear her. The other Peggy Lee was born to an alcoholic father and raised by a cruel step mom. A woman who never seemed happy with any of her husbands, though she remained friends with some after their break up. This part of book just scratches the surface at least with any particular relationship she had and why it was going bad. It seems to build to an overall character assesment based on all of her relationships and career - though I had to return the book to the library before I got to the end. For me the book also described a third Peggy Lee. One who found her way in the musical world, meeting and performing with many great musicans in many of the hot jazz spots of the past. This was the most enjoyable part of the book as you travell back in time to visit with some of the jazz greats that my father loved and some lessor known ones that I met while listening to them with my father. It is also a story of how Peggy kept her career going into the 60s with the avent of rock & roll You can tell the author is a real fan of Peggy Lee, as he promotes her artistry, innovation, sense of blues/jazz timing and phrasing above all others that have come before (and seemingly after). I share his dislike for modern and beebop jazz, but can't share his enthusiam for her and her music above all others, or for that matter rock & roll.

I was blown away when Gary Giddins wrote a serious bio of Bing Crosby and hoped that someone would do a similar trick for Miss Peggy Lee. Peter Richmond has done it. He covers all the ground from the song of the title to "Lady and the Tramp" to "Is That All There Is?" and beyond and writes for a popular audience, not for people in the music biz. I read this in two nights!

This beautiful examination of Peggy Lee`s Life and music left me with great admiration of Peter Richmond`s skills and talent. It gives us a portrait of an amazing lady, who was not only a singer but a complicated, intelligent person. The research behind the book is breathtaking but never boring. In fact Richmond`s writing at times is almost poetic-always interesting and exciting. A really great read.