Lady Sings the Blues

Chronicles the rise and fall of legendary blues singer Billie Holiday, beginning with her traumatic youth. The story depicts her early attempts at a singing career and her eventual rise to stardom, as well as her difficult relationship with Louis McKay, her boyfriend and manager. Casting a shadow over even Holiday's brightest moments is the vocalist's severe drug addiction, which threatens to end both her career and her life.

• 
  Diana Ross

  Billie Holiday
• 
  Billy Dee Williams

  Louis McKay
• 
  Richard Pryor

  Piano Man
• 
  James T. Callahan

  Reg Hanley
• 
  Sid Melton

  Jerry
• 
  Virginia Capers

  Mama Holiday
• 
  Yvonne Fair

  Yvonne
• 
  Isabel Sanford

  The Madame
• 
  Ned Glass

  The Agent
• 
  Milton Selzer

  The Doctor