life:
Our week with Marilyn continues on …
LIFE.com remembers the young Marilyn with a selection of Eyerman’s early photos: pictures of her studying with bandleader Phil Moore (singing); dance instructor, and the ex-husband of the great Cyd Charisse, Nico Charisse (ballet); and a one-time European stage star, Natasha Lytess, who would serve as Monroe’s acting coach until the mid-1950s.
See the photos here on LIFE.com.
Dear @life - Phil Moore was not a “bandleader” at all. He was a composer, arranger and vocal coach to other icons before & after Monroe including Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra, Dorothy Dandridge, Judy Garland, Pearl Bailey, Ava Gardner and so many more. Photo: J.R. Eyerman - Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Speaking of Marilyn Monroe and the Mocambo in Hollywood. In 1955, Ms. Monroe persuaded the owner of the Mocambo to hire Ella Fitzgerald (the Mocambo did not book Black artists). Ms. Fitzgerald on Ms. Monroe to Ms. magazine in 1972: “I oweMarilyn 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 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.”
Composer, arranger and vocal coach Phil Moore giving singing lessons to a 22-year-old Marilyn Monroe at the legendary West Hollywood nightclub, the Mocambo, in 1949. Ms. Monroe was quoted in Ebony magazine in 1960 as saying, “I will always be grateful to Phil Moore for his patience… he gave me confidence in my own vocal ability and made me realize that people would be willing to listen to me as well as look at me.” Photo: J.R. Eyerman - Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images.
Sammy Davis, Jr., in December 1954, in his first public appearance after the loss of his eye in an auto accident. He was at a night club on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood with Marilyn Monroe, Jacques Cernes, Mel Torme and Milton Greene, Marilyn’s escort.
Eartha Kitt with Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller in 1957.
Eartha Kitt with Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Mitchell in 1957.
“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 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.” - Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald on Marilyn Monroe:
“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 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.”
(via tedr)
