Lena horne

Throughout her six-decade career, Lena Horne was one of the most talented—and complicated—figures in show business. In an excerpt from his definitive new biography of the glamorous singer and actress, the author examines the moment she gave up on Hollywood and its stereotypical view of African-Americans and made a triumphant debut at one of the swankiest old-line establishments in New York.

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We're still eager to emulate those legendary screen sirens, models and singers whose coifs are as memorable as their music.

Portrait of the American singer, Lena Horne. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

AfrocentricFilmsCollaborative on Instagram: "The Great Lena Horne with the Champ Joe Louis. 💕"

Photographer Teenie Harris’ images of actors, musicians and dancers speak to the power of art

Singer Lena Horne performing in nightclub, 1947. Photo Yale Joel (LIFE magazine)

Singer/actress Lena Horne performs in a tribute to noted American composer Richard Rodgers on December 9 at the Cocoanut Grove Ballroom in the Ambassador Hotel in Hollywood, California.