Lena Horne

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 5:07pm

Has anyone heard anything about the legendary Lena Horne whose only Broadway show was 1957's JAMAICA but whose career as a singer spanned many decades? She was born in 1917, but to my best knowledge she is still alive. I saw her many years ago at her Carnegie Hall concert when she still sounded terrific.

[ilovetohearthemusic]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 5:31pm

haven't heard about anything new about her, but she is definitely a favorite of mine...maybe watch "the wiz" and that can be your fix until something new comes out about her...

just a thought :)

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 5:51pm

Well, Jamaica may be her only book musical, but let's not forget her extraordinary Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, at the Nederlander in the early '80s.

These days, I hear she talks to friends, but does not want to be seen in public.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 6:01pm

Hers was probably the greatest one-person show I've ever seen -- passionate, soulful, intense and electrifying.

I've heard rumors (unsubstantiated) that she suffers from Alzheimer's which is one of the reasons she hasn't been seen in public for many years, but regardless she was the epitome of class and elegance for much of the 20th century along with one of the great talents (and great beauties) of our time. I wish her well.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 6:39pm

On the subject of Lena Horne, The Lady and Her Music, why on earth hasn't it been issued on DVD?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 6:54pm

No idea. I know it was available on video for a while in the 80s, but it went out of print well over a decade ago. Perhaps, the powers that be don't think there's much of a market for it, but it's such a classic performance that I would think that with just a little bit of hype (a la the DVD release of "Liza with a Z"), it could easily recoup the cost of transferring it onto DVD and giving it a limited distribution.

Updated On: 11/11/06 at 06:54 PM

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 1:49pm

Sorry--I forgot about her LENA HORNE: THE LADY AND HER MUSIC which apparently was terrific and had a long run for a one woman show. I regret that I didn't see it. What a great tribute to her it would be to transfer it to DVD.

Margo, I have also heard a rumor that she suffers from Alzheimer's--what a shame if it is true. My mother had it so I know what that can do to a person.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 2:10pm

I am in the small school of people who actaully ENJOYED the Wiz movie

[morosco]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 3:01pm

Lena Horne...The Lady and her Music was indeed one of the most thrilling evenings that I have ever spent in a theatre. Her raw and powerful performance was beyond words. I remember sitting in my seat after the performance hardly able to move. I was literally stunned by what I had just experienced. It would be great if ever released on DVD. Her performance was legendary and deserves to be witnessed by all.

[Paulyd]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 3:04pm

Lena Horne is probably one of the greatest singers ever. Its a shame that MGM shafted her back in the 40's because she could have had a great movie career. I'm a huge fan of Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 6:19pm

You can watch the exhilirating "Stormy Weather" and "If You Believe" if you do a search on the site that must not be named.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 9:40pm

I will never forget the way she transformed "Surrey with the Fringe on Top" in The Lady and Her Music from the sweet love song we all know and love to a song about the awakening of sexual desire.