Marilyn with Ella Fitzgerald listening to jazz at Hollywood's Tiffany Club in 1955.
Ella Fitzgerald had become her favorite singer, and when she found out that a popular club had refused to book Ella because she was black, Marilyn took action.
Quote from Ella: "I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt. It was because of her that I played the Mocambo, a very popular nightclub in the '50s. She personally called the owner of the Mocomabo, 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".
I adore Marilyn. Isn't this a great story?
xoxoxo
{photo and text via MsBlueSky}
SUCH a great story. i love when people use their positions in life and popularity for good. if you're gonna manipulate people, you may as well do some good while you're at it! haha! :)
Posted by: Jasmine | May 13, 2009 at 05:48 PM
Thank you for sharing such a positive Marilyn story! So much of what made her special gets lost.
Posted by: Miss Absinthe | May 14, 2009 at 01:57 PM
Mrs. Monroe a very positive person from ProfitableCapstone.com
Posted by: zens 28 | December 14, 2009 at 07:05 AM
Just when I think I'm slipping into cynicism along comes a a story like that. Wonderful. I've always regarded Ella as one of life's miracles, and I've always liked Marilyn. Now she's even higher in my regard, a lot higher in fact.
Posted by: Wayne | December 16, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Wow. That is awesome. I didn't have an opinion on Marilyn one way or the other, but this definitely puts her in a good light for me.
Posted by: Alice | December 18, 2009 at 01:33 PM
a lovely story. thank you!
Posted by: James Millikan | December 21, 2009 at 08:29 PM
Marilyn Monroe and I have something in common. We both think Ella Fitzgerald was phenomenal. Great story and even better photograph.
Posted by: ThisGirlTV | January 05, 2010 at 05:50 AM
Who but Marilyn could make a size 16 look so good that we all want to look like that. She is not just an icon, she was a whole person and articles like this make us remember that. Good job Tina!
Posted by: Carla Underwood | January 15, 2010 at 02:53 PM
That's a great story, i enjoyed it, Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by: Logo Design | February 10, 2010 at 12:19 AM
Hello.
Beautiful story... and a beautiful blog I'm discovering for the first time. Sure, I'll come back to peep what's happening here :-)
Posted by: Louis St-Jo | February 10, 2010 at 01:42 AM
Hi there Tina,
thank you for this post - what a great story! Do you know "Rare photos of famous people"? You'll find some unknown pictures of MM as well ;) http://www.cracktwo.com/2010/01/rare-photos-of-famous-people-125-pics.html
Posted by: Ickemixe | July 13, 2010 at 03:38 AM