"Little Norma Jean Baker would eventually grow up to be model, actress and singer Marilyn Monroe, and even after her untimely death, Monroe would still make headlines, instantly becoming an iconic legend among her many fans. Although Monroe was mostly known for her film roles and her Hollywood appearances, she also spent some time in front of the microphone, making recordings as well as touring across the United States and in other parts of the world, famously singing for American troops in Japan as well as providing the voice for President John F. Kennedy's birthday celebration in Madison Square Garden. No one could deny her immense sexual appeal and her incredibly seductive voice that enchanted anyone who took the time to listen to her.Monroe, who was born Norma Jean Baker, had a rough childhood. Her mother was mentally unstable and had to be institutionalized when the young Baker was just five years old, and her father was never a part of her life, having abandoned her mother before she was born and subsequently dying in a motorcycle accident. She was spotted while still a teenager by a photographer who convinced her to try modeling. The opportunity led her to take singing, acting and dancing lessons, and she was eventually offered some small roles in films. Her first big opportunity came with the thriller movie Niagra, released in 1953, and she also showed off her singing skills with songs like ""Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend"" and ""Bye Bye Baby."" Monroe's career took off from there.Soon she was all over the magazines, and her highly publicized marriage to baseball great Joe DiMaggio generated even more attention. She was granted a recording contract with RCA Victor Records and appeared in a plethora of other films like River of No Return, There's No Business Like Show Business and the Seven Year Itch. Most of her lyrical talent appeared on the soundtracks to films, which helped portray her talents not only as an actress but also as a singer. Her last musical live appearance will always be remembered as it took place in Madison Square Garden in May 1962 when she led the audience in a particularly seductive version of ""Happy Birthday"" to President Kennedy. A few months later she was found dead in her home from an overdose of barbiturates. It is still undetermined whether her death was an accident or suicide."
