by Arthur Gelb The temperature was one degree above zero at 2 a.m. yesterday, but inside Basin Street East it was sizzling. The scheduled entertainment, provided by Peggy Lee, the singer, can heat up the room more than adequately, but early yesterday morning she had the impromptu assistance of Jimmy[…]

by Neil Hickey Mink-wrapped and black-tied music aficionados stood in long queues outside New York’s plush Basin Street East supper club recently, and jockeyed for position in the sweepstakes they hoped would land them at ringside tables. Inside, a 5’7″ blonde, in a shimmering white gown that followed her contours[…]

by Laurie Henshaw Some singers stay the pace. And the reason can be found in one word – artistry. Talent helps, but talent and artistry are not always synonymous. Who better to illustrate the point than Peggy Lee? No one – or, at any rate, none of the “pundits” –[…]

by Ben Gross “Dancing should be romancing, not just physical culture,” singing star Peggy Lee told me as we were discussing the frantic gyrations inspired by rock ‘n’ roll. And, as a matter of fact, she believes that eventually rock ‘n’ roll may evolve into a form of music acceptable[…]

by Ben Gross The great days of the Big Bands, when all of America danced and sang, swayed and swirled to wondrous sounds – Peggy Lee hopes for their early return. “And I believe they may come back soon – there are already signs of it,” she told me, “if[…]

author unknown The spotlight which hit cool, blond Peggy Lee left most of the big room in blackness, but the ringsider’s voice that came out of the dark was recognizable: “That’s the old pepper in there.” It was Benny Goodman, on hand one night last week to welcome an old[…]