Early life Billy Lee Tipton was born in Oklahoma City on December 29, 1914. Tipton grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, where he was raised by an aunt after his parents divorced when he was four. As a high school student, Tipton went by the nickname "Tippy" and became interested in music (especially jazz), playing piano and saxophone. Tipton was not allowed to join the all-male school band at Southwest High School. He returned to Oklahoma for his final year of high school and joined the school band at Connors State College High School.
Early life Billy Lee Tipton was born in Oklahoma City on December 29 1914. Tipton grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, where he was raised by an aunt after his parents divorced when he was four As a high school student Tipton went by the nickname "Tippy" and became interested in m.usic (especially jazz), playing piano and saxophone. Tipton was not allowed to join the all-male school band at So,uthwest High, School. He returned to Oklahoma for his final year of high school and joined the school band at Connors State College High School.