“Once, when we were playing at the Apollo Theater, Holiday was working a block away at the Harlem Opera House. Some of us went over between shows to catch her, and afterwards we went backstage. I did something then, and I still don't know if it was the right thing to do—I asked her for her autograph.” IfsKnowsStillsShowsHouseTheaterBlockThings To DoRight ThingHolidayOperaApolloAutographsHarlemOpera House Author:Ella Fitzgerald
“I guess what everyone wants more than anything else is to be loved. And to know that you loved me for my singing is too much for me. Forgive me if I don't have all the words. Maybe I can sing it and you'll understand.” IfsKnowsWantLoveI CanToo MuchSingingForgivingForgive Me Author:Ella Fitzgerald
“I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt … she personally called the owner of the Mocambo, and told him she wanted me booked immediately, and if he would do it, she would take a front table every night. She told him – and it was true, due to Marilyn’s superstar status – that the press would go wild. The owner said yes, and Marilyn was there, front table, every night. The press went overboard. After that, I never had to play a small jazz club again. She was an unusual woman – a little ahead of her times. And she didn’t know it.” IfsKnowsLittlesSaidRealPlayWantedNightFrontsTablesPressesJazzClubsDebtDuesOwnersUnusualEvery NightSuperstarOverboard Author:Ella Fitzgerald
“I used to be very self-conscious. I used to wish I was pretty. My cousin Georgia always taught me that if you smile, people will like you. Sometimes people will say something you don't like, and you get angry a bit, but you just smile. You let it go by, even if you really would like to choke 'em. By smiling, I think I've made more friends than if I was the other way.” PeopleIfsThinkingWayMadeSelfSometimesUsedWishBitsTaughtLike YouBehaviorConsciousAngryUsed To BeEmsCousinLet It GoSelf ConsciousChokeGeorgiaMy CousinJust Smile Author:Ella Fitzgerald
