Today is the 74th birthday of that OTT creative genius Mr Bob Mackie, designer of choice for decades of ladies beloved of men-who-are-light-in-their-loafers including Mitzi Gaynor, Miss Ross, Bette Midler, Carol Burnett, Ann-Margret, and of course Cher! [Although, it seems, no longer - as he has turned down the costumier duties for her latest "farewell tour".]
So what better way to kick off the week (in sparkling fashion as is our wont) on this Tacky Music Monday, than with Cher, Bette and Dame Elton John (and Flip Wilson, whoever he is) together, dressed in the most outrageous of Mr Mackie's creations?
And here is a musical compendium of some of his famous costumes:
Robert Gordon "Bob" Mackie (born 24th March 1940)
That was fun! The man has indeed created some of the most fabulous outfits ever worn! Happy birthday (although how you can turn down Cher is beyond me - time or no time, you MAKE IT for Cher!).
ReplyDeleteI think his nose may have been put out of joint by the prospect of sharing the limelight with Hugh Durant (who is now doing all the frocks, as he did for her last "farewell tour" - how many will this girl have, FFS?). Imagine the back-stage hair-pulling... Jx
DeleteThat Cher, Bette and Dame Elton John clip...is that what Heaven looks like?
ReplyDeleteI sincerely hope so! Jx
DeleteI love Mr. Mackie...mmm'kay. The nude illusion pantsuit he did for Pink is just downright naughty.
ReplyDeleteFlip Wilson was a black comedian who for a while was a bit of a sensation and had a variety show in the early 70's when few black people were on TV. From my early gay boy reference, he created a drag character named Geraldine who was sassy and had a boyfriend named Killer.
My great aunt Bess used to encourage my creativity and loved when I would dress up as Geraldine and entertain her with the character's catch phrases like, "What You See Is What You Get!" and "The Devil Made Me Do It!"
Mr Mackie must be a genius if he can make Pink look sexy.
DeleteAs for Mr Wilson, I have seen album covers featuring "Geraldine", and have possibly seen him as a guest on various TV clips from the US, but needless to say he never crossed the pond to any notable degree. We had our own set of black "pioneers" in that respect, including Winnie Atwell, Mabel Mercer, Geoff Love, Kenny Lynch and Charlie Williams, and of course many black Americans (such as those from the Motown stable) appeared on British TV before they were free to "go mainstream" at home.
Jx
"Mr Mackie must be a genius if he can make Pink look sexy"
ReplyDeleteI was just gonna say...
Ms. Pink is about as butch as a "straight" woman can get! I never said sexy, but yes the magic of Bob Mackie made even her look feminine. At the Grammy awards Grammy Awards...there is a flourish of lady like behavior in her performance. I like to think Bob had something to do with it. Providing this video isn't blocked in your country.
ReplyDeleteIt was blocked but I found another clip - she reminded me somewhat of a drag queen doing an impression of Kylie's "Can't Get You Out Of My Head". With trapezes.
DeleteMr Mackie certainly is a genius. Jx