“Streisand’s support of Abzug culminated that year in her headlining the “Broadway for Bella” concert at Madison Square Garden’s Felt Forum on November 1, 1970. My dear friend John Richkus, whom I’ve known since the early 1980s, recently reminded me that he actually went to the “Broadway for Bella” concert. I was fascinated as he shared his memories of how he attended the concert by himself, not just because it was full of anecdotal theater lore, but also because as he told me the story, I realized it was a turning point in his life; you see John was only thirteen years old in November, 1970.”
Tag: Barbra Streisand
Blog posts
Color Me Hip Hop? An Exclusive Guide to Barbra Streisand’s Secret Place in Rap Music
Am I the only person who noted a feeling of change in the air and, perhaps, even slight cognitive dissonance when Barbra Streisand presented the 2002 Oscar for Best Song to Eminem for “Lose…
13 Over-the-Top Vocal Performances of The 1960s
In the 1960s record production and popular singer’s vocal style were as over-the-top as women’s hair pieces. I was listening to a Jackie Wilson record a few weeks ago and it really hit me…
Donna Summer, “Dim All the Lights”: My Personal Memories of One of the All-Time Great Singers
May 17th is the anniversary of Donna Summer’s death, which came as a shock to her fans around the world having kept her illness a secret to even those she regarded as close friends. Though her…
“I Don’t Like Reggae—I Hate It!” A Comprehensive Guide to Reggae Music for the Unpersuaded
Though it may strike you as something less than shocking coming from an analog, Fosse-loving guy like me, but I’ve never cared much for reggae music. Doesn’t everyone like reggae? I like the idea…
October 6, 1963: CBS Broadcasts The Judy Garland Show Featuring Barbra Streisand
Frequent Stargayzing contributor Corinna Tormley and David Munk each share there thoughts on the historic performance. Corinna Tormley: I love Judy and I love Barbra and so was very aware of the show’s existence…
“To Cher, Love David”: A Letter Never Sent
In 1986 and 1987, I worked on the Martin Ritt film Nuts at Warner Bros. in Burbank. It was my first job out of film school and I was in a happy state of…
“How Music Began”: A Mid-Century Gay Myth for the Under-10 Set
In 1973 my fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Schindler taught a unit on Greek myths at the end of which each student was given the assignment of writing his own. My piece was called “How Music…
I Gotta (Stephen) Crowe! StreisBAND’s “Piano Practicing”
Now here is something rather unexpected: an English speed metal cover band devoted exclusively to the catalogue of Barbra Streisand. My only comment is, “What took so long?” The StreisBAND project, which comes with…
Nothing’s Impossible: Yentl Opened 30 Years Ago Today
In the autumn of 1983, I was beginning my sophomore year at N.Y.U. film school, but anything I may learned in a classroom that semester felt insignificant compared to the excitement surrounding the November…
25: An Elegy for Steven Stern
25 years ago today Steven Stern lost his short, brave fight against AIDS. I still haven’t wrapped my head around it. He’s been gone longer than the number of years he was physically here…
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