Miss Peggy Lee: An Autobiography

Peggy Lee's life starts off as a Dickensian nightmare - the abuse she suffered at the hands of her stepmother is brutal in the extreme (in one instance, she is beaten after an appendectomy, tearing her sutures). That she lived to be an adult, much less the legend that she is today, is nothing short of miraculous. This book is a stream-of-consciousness effort, and could have done with some editing assistance, but once I got used to the cadence of the "conversation" that Miss Lee was having with me through these pages, I quite enjoyed this story of her life. It is a scattershot volume, with her skipping around in her chronology quite a little bit, and leaving out some key facts (she only mentions two husbands, when I'm sure there were more). Miss Lee was very frail and almost constantly ill. She kept her chin up, however, and made every concert that she was able to, even singing one whole show with a broken pelvis. A force to be reckoned with, that's for sure. If you're looking for in-depth objectivity, this isn't the book for you. If you're looking to sit down with a nice lady and hear her tell some interesting stories, not necessarily in the order in which they occurred, then you should have no problems with Miss Peggy Lee. I read the UK edition with the postscript added after her passing - it provided a nice endnote to a distinguished career.

This book was written by Peggy Lee without the aid of ghostwriters or collaborators. As I read it, I heard her voice, like the narration in "Is That All There Is?" in my head. P.L. has written lyrics for hundreds of songs, and she is an excellent singer, amateur painter, and avid home decorator. Though she is all of these things, an artist and creative person, book writing is not her forte. Nevertheless, there is no one like her, and it is fascinating to hear what she has to say, even if the structure is ramshackle, and you're not always clear on her meaning. Her first break came when Benny Goodman heard her sing and hired her. The song, "Why Don't You Do Right?" recorded with the Goodman group was one of her first hits. It was later covered by Jessica Rabbit, in a slower tempo that didn't swing nearly as much as the original, in the live action/animation feature Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Peggy was ahead of her time, being a performer who also wrote songs. She has credit on over 200 songs, mostly as lyricist, and has recorded over 700 songs in a long career. She wrote some great lines for Fever, but never got any credit for them, even though they were incorporated into most of the later versions of the song. She also came up with great ideas for arrangements--the bass, drums, and finger snaps were all her idea (Was there a film made of this with just arms sticking through walls, finger snapping, like the scene in the Beast's castle where the arms hold torches in Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast? I can picture it, but perhaps it is just a feverish delusion?). She also came up with using poly rhythms on the exciting version of "Lover" that she recorded. It is interesting because it is a Richard Rodgers' song, and he was notorious for demanding that singers did his songs exactly as written. Mel Torme complains that he disagreed with the way he was phrasing Blue Moon, and made him do it his way. But after hearing Peggy's version of "Lover" he gave her permission to do his songs any way she liked. Peggy Lee and Sonny Burke wrote the music for the Disney classic, Lady and the Tramp. One of the dogs was named "Peg" in her honor, and "Peg" (both the cartoon dog and Peggy Lee on the soundtrack) sang one of the movie's best songs in tribute to the raffish Tramp. She is accompanied by a chorus of men howling like canines in a surprisingly musical fashion. A lot of famous names are dropped in this book, but what do you expect after such a fabulous career? Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Jimmy Durrante, Bing Crosby, to name but a few. All great friends of hers. Did you know that Marilyn Monroe was a surprise guest at a show Peg was giving with JFK in the audience? Her rendition of "Happy Birthday" really stole the show, especially when the spotlight was on her shear white dress, rendering it virtually invisible, and revealing for JFK and all and sundry her lack of underwear. Throughout the book, Peggy Lee is quite a trouper. The show must go on, despite hear

You might be disappointed to find that this isn't a chronology of Peggy's career. It mostly follows a continuing timeline, but doesn't feature her thoughts song-by-song or album-by-album or whatever. Instead, it is more geared towards Peggy recalling stories on the road and in her career. And there's nothing wrong with that. Peggy is a most likeable narrator, and many of her stories are adventures indeed. I had to catch my breath after the first few childhood chapters alone! May not be readily available now, but do check it out if you find a copy.

I was in a used book store a few days ago, when I came across this book. I love Miss Lee's music. I bought the book. I'm only @ page 64, but her touchingly humorous syle has bewitched me. The book is almost as entertaining as her music. What an incredable life of an incredable woman! It's rare these days that I find a book I really keep reading. This is a great book. Find it somehow (hopefully they'll re-issue it)!

For the lover of classical american pop vocal music - this auto-bio is not to be missed. Arguably the greatest of the greats, MISS PEGGY LEE is allways at the top - writing songs, recording, and performing to sold out club dates - As she is well into her 70's today - She continues to write her own rules for life, most succesfull people do, and so much can be gleaned from her experiences! * great photos ! * READ - of the challenges, triumphs and glamour of her distinguished career - the overcomming of incredible odds with her bouts of ill health as well as her years of spiritual evolution - which, to a long time lover of her style and vocal power, comes through quite clearly ! There is a peace of mind that comes from this woman that can be felt in her music, her performances (of which i have experienced with pleasure) and her writing. NOTABLE: Miss Lee has written/co-written well over 200 songs todate - many of great renown, despite the few who realize this fact - a book of poetry - Oscar nomination ... etc!!! I AM looking forward to her second book - in the works as i understand... There are currently over 40 Peggy Lee {{{ CD's }}} on my shelf, most of which are easily available for ordering from numerous sources, among the best - are the capitol and deca recordings. She is known to be a perfectionist and this fact is clear on all but two ! NOT TO BE MISSED !!! is the CHRISTMAS CAROUSEL- CD, tape, vinal - the style of this work is astounding and has never been matched since - the most under rated Christmas recording of all time ! - traditional songs and sound with a class and refinement that is entrancing, enriching and absolutely untouchable ! - Her writing tallent shines strong on this record - the title song is a Classics! It has never failed to lift me out of a lull, 12 MONTHS A YEAR. - [email protected] ENJOY ! - buy the book - or go to the library. KNOW WHO PEGGY LEE IS ! - CD's at this site !!!