How Marilyn Monroe changed Ella Fitzgerald’s life

During the ’50s  Ella Fitzgerald was not allowed to play at Mocambo, a popular Hollywood venue, because of her race. Here, Ella tells the story of how Marilyn Monroe changed her life:

"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.”

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