Ella Fitzgerald By sydneymariee98 Apr 25, 1917 Born Nov 21, 1934 Singing Debut Mar 11, 1935 Began singing with Webbs Orchestra through 1935 Period: Jun 16, 1939 to Dec 7, 1941 Became bandleader, and renamed band "Ella and her Famous Orchestra" After this end date, the band broke up. Jan 7, 1942 Started solo career Period: May 4, 1958 to Mar 1, 1995 Span of Grammy Awards From the first grammy award to the last, are all of the other grammys (12) , she has won. Jun 8, 1960 Went on Tour Dec 12, 1988 Awarded NAACP Image award for Lifetime Achievement Dec 12, 1992 Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom Highest non-military honor. Jun 15, 1996 Died