Peggy Lee (Norma Deloris Engstrom)
The North Dakota Music Hall of Fame proudly inducts Peggy Lee, an iconic singer, songwriter, and actress whose cool, sultry voice and remarkable talent left an enduring mark on American music. Born Norma Deloris Engstrom on May 26, 1920, in Jamestown, North Dakota, Peggy Lee’s journey from a small-town girl to a world-renowned artist is a story of resilience, innovation, and timeless artistry.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Peggy Lee was the seventh of eight children born to Marvin and Selma Engstrom, both of Scandinavian descent. Tragedy struck early in Peggy’s life when her mother passed away when she was just four years old. Shortly after, the family home was lost to a fire. Marvin later remarried the family’s housekeeper, Min Schaumber, who helped raise the children.
From 1934 to 1937, Peggy assisted her father in his duties as the station agent at the Midland Continental Depot in Wimbledon, North Dakota. Despite her demanding responsibilities at home, Peggy found time to nurture her musical talent. As a teenager, she sang for local PTAs, the high school Glee Club, and a Lutheran church choir. She also performed briefly with a semi-professional college band and on local radio stations KVOC in Valley City and KRMC in Jamestown.
The Birth of Peggy Lee
Peggy’s life changed when she caught the attention of Ken Kennedy, the station manager at WDAY in Fargo. Kennedy suggested that she change her name, and thus, the world was introduced to Miss Peggy Lee. At 17, after graduating from Wimbledon High School in 1937, Peggy left home in 1938 with just $18 and a borrowed railroad pass, heading to California to pursue her dream of a singing career.
Finding Her Signature Sound
One of the most defining moments in Peggy Lee’s career occurred in 1941 at the Doll House in Palm Springs, California. Faced with a loud and unruly crowd, Peggy responded by singing more and more softly, ultimately developing the cool, intimate style that would become her trademark. This unique approach captivated audiences and set her apart from her peers.
A Star Is Born
Peggy Lee’s career quickly ascended as she became known for her precise performances and her ability to write lyrics, a rarity for female artists at the time. She was the only female singer to achieve Top Ten hits in the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s with songs like “Somebody Else is Taking My Place,” her iconic cover of Little Willie John’s “Fever,” and “Is That All There Is?”
In addition to her music, Peggy Lee made a significant impact in film, with notable performances in Pete Kelly’s Blues and The Jazz Singer. Her work with Walt Disney on the 1955 animated classic Lady and the Tramp is particularly celebrated; she not only wrote many of the film’s songs but also provided voices for characters including Darling, the Siamese Cats, and Peg, one of the dogs in the pound.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Peggy Lee’s influence extended beyond music and film. She inspired the creation of the Peggy Lee Rose, was the namesake for Jim Henson’s Miss Piggy, and is even rumored to have influenced the naming of the Margarita cocktail. Throughout her career, Peggy recorded more than 1,060 songs and wrote nearly 300 of them herself, a testament to her prolific talent.
Final Years and Passing
Peggy Lee continued to record music through the 1980s and perform on stage into the 1990s. Her career, which spanned six decades, saw her perform live on the radio, in nightclubs, and on television countless times. In 1998, after a series of health setbacks, Peggy suffered a stroke. Four years later, on January 21, 2002, Peggy Lee passed away from complications due to diabetes and a heart attack at the age of 81. Her ashes were placed in a monument in Los Angeles, fittingly inscribed with the words, “Music is my life’s breath.”
Recognition and Induction
Peggy Lee’s extraordinary contributions to music have been honored with numerous awards. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was a recipient of North Dakota’s Rough Rider Award, and was inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the North Dakota Music Hall of Fame. Peggy Lee’s legacy as a trailblazing artist continues to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers around the world .
