The outrageously fabulous Miss Pearl Bailey, had she lived, would have been 96 years old today.
She was not only a ground-breaking artist in her own right, making a successful crossover from Harlem nightclubs and singing with big band-leaders such as Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington to become a genuine all-round entertainer; she was also an early supporter of gay rights (she steered the career of drag superstar Mr Lynne Carter), headed a Tony Award-winning all-black cast of Hello Dolly! and had her own very successful TV variety show during the 70s.
She even wrote her own cookbook!
Miss Bailey also sang with everyone who was anyone in showbiz, including Carol Channing, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore, Ethel Waters, Moms Mabley and many many more. Like these...
Here she is with Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby and Andy Williams:
And here, the lady forms a formidable - and never to be repeated - trio with Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan!
Phenomenal.
Pearlie Mae Bailey (29th March 1918 – 17th August 1990)
she never quite caught her deserved due.
ReplyDelete"No one can figure out your worth but you." - Pearl Bailey
DeleteJx
She was truly fab.
ReplyDeleteI want that cook book.
I thought that book might pique your interest! Jx
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