Howard, second from left, listens as Councilwoman Genie Abrams reads the proclamation
(photo: Caleb Pugh)
NEWBURGH – Lillie Bryant Howard became a pop music icon when she was 17. As part of the singing duo Billy and Lillie, the Newburgh native gained fame with the hit songs “La De Da” and “Lucky Lady Bug,” among others.
Now, at age 77, still living in Newburgh and performing jazz numbers at a waterfront restaurant weekly, the city council presented her with the Key to the City Monday night.
In impassioned remarks, Howard called for harmony in the city she loves.
“All roads lead to Newburgh. We have the highway, we have the water, we have the roads, but what we don’t have is the love that we need between us regardless of what color we are. We are all human and we need to start working and striving together making our city truly become what it can be.”
Howard sang an improvised song to the full house attending the city council session calling for harmony and unity among all people in Newburgh.
