Marilyn Monroe with Ella Fitzgerald at the the Mocambo. A popular Hollywood night club at the time.
In the 1950s, Ella Fitzgerald was not allowed to play Hollywood’s most popular nightclub, Mocambo, because of her race. Marilyn Monroe, who was a big fan, called the owner & told him that if he booked Ella, Marilyn would be there every night — which guaranteed huge press coverage.
He booked Ella and Marilyn was there, front table, every night. Ella said, "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."
