Billie Holiday: The Last Interview

The first-ever collection of interviews with the tortured but groundbreaking singer Billie Holiday, part of Melville House's beloved Last Interview series Legendary singer Billie Holiday comes alive in this first-ever collection of interviews from throughout her career, including her last, as well as the transcript of an interrogation by US Customs officers, part of a harasment campaign waged against the singer by law enforcement officials. Drawn from music magazines, late-night radio programs, and newspapers from across the United States and Canada, in these conversations Holiday discusses her childhood, the musicians who influenced her, her friendship-and falling out-with the influential saxophone player Lester Young, her chosen symbol (the gardenia), why she quit Count Basie's band, her substance abuse problems, song-writing and memoir-writing, and more. In frank and open conversations, Billie Holiday proves herself far more articulate, aware, intelligent, and even heroic than the way she's often portrayed. This collection is an essential volume for all who have been moved by her music.