Let me tell you about Peggy Lee, a powerhouse whose iconic song “Is That All There Is?” became a timeless anthem for many. It wasn’t just a question she asked through her music; it was a mantra she lived by. Peggy refused to settle for the script society handed her. As her granddaughter, Holly Foster-Wells, shares with Closer Weekly, Peggy was a trailblazer who created her own destiny. “She didn’t accept the limitations placed on women back then,” Foster-Wells explains. “Instead, she wrote her own story in a world that often tried to silence her voice.”
From Rural Beginnings to Global Stardom
Peggy’s journey began in the small town of Jamestown, North Dakota, on May 26, 1920. To honor her legacy, a special collection titled Ultimate Peggy Lee has been released, marking the centennial of her birth. Life wasn’t easy for Peggy from the start. Her mother passed away when she was young, leaving her in the care of a stepmother who was emotionally and physically abusive. But Peggy found solace in music, a passion that would eventually transform her life.
Her Breakthrough Moment
Music became Peggy’s sanctuary, a place where she could escape the hardships of her childhood. She honed her craft in glee clubs and church choirs before eventually landing gigs with orchestras. Her big break came when she caught the attention of the legendary Benny Goodman, who invited her to join his band. “He gave her the platform she needed to shine,” recalls Foster-Wells. With Goodman’s backing, Peggy’s star began to rise, and she quickly established herself as one of the most captivating performers of her time.
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The Challenges of Love and Marriage
Peggy fell in love with guitarist Dave Barbour, a fellow member of Benny Goodman’s band. They tied the knot in 1943 and welcomed a daughter named Nicki. For a while, Peggy stepped away from the spotlight to focus on family life. “What she longed for more than anything was stability,” Foster-Wells explains. Unfortunately, Barbour’s struggles with alcoholism put a strain on their marriage, leading to their divorce in 1951. Over the years, Peggy married three more times, but as Foster-Wells notes, “She referred to those marriages as ‘costume parties.’ They didn’t define her.”
A Legacy of Artistry and Empowerment
Peggy’s true passion always remained music. Her sultry hits like “Fever” cemented her status as a vocal powerhouse, and her talents extended far beyond singing. She became a successful songwriter, crafting memorable tunes and even contributing to Disney’s classic film Lady and the Tramp. A shrewd businesswoman, Peggy retained the publishing rights to her songs, ensuring her legacy endured. “She once told me, ‘You can sell diamonds, but never sell your songs,’” Foster-Wells reminisces.
Peggy’s dramatic stage presence made her a natural actress. “Watching her perform was like witnessing an entire play unfold in a single song,” Foster-Wells says. Her role as an alcoholic jazz singer in the 1955 film Pete Kelly’s Blues earned her an Oscar nomination. Despite her talent, she found herself typecast, with agents reluctant to offer her more roles. “I loved acting, but they only saw me as a singer,” Peggy once remarked. Still, she remained undeterred, choosing to focus on her thriving career in music.
