Ruth Leon mourns… Steve Lawrence
Ruth Leon recommendsSteve Lawrence, who died last week, was the son of a cantor at a Brooklyn New York synagogue. Lead vocalist for the US Army Band in the ‘50s, his accurate, easy baritone made him one of the top stars in the heyday of musical variety, television, stage, and Las Vegas shows and, with his wife of 56 years, Eydie Gorme, personified the performance of good songs, flawlessly executed. The style of their performances is dated but their precision and musicianship is not. And here he is solo in 1987 on the Carol Burnett Show.
Just The Way You Are – Steve Lawrence
His voice was warm, elegant and somehow straightforward, bringing the lyrics directly to the listener. He was an actor as well as a singer, starring in Broadway shows, Hollywood movies and countless television variety shows and he won every award open to singers including nominations for Grammys, Emmys and Tonys.
Together, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme were the ultimate professionals. Here they are with a Beatles medley from the Ed Sullivan Show in 1970, shortly after the Beatles had split up.
Eydie Gorme died in 2013 aged 84. Steve Lawrence died last week, aged 88, but their performances will live on.
All You Need Is Love, With A Little Help From My Friends, When I’m 64
– Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gormé
They made us smile and made us happy. Their joined voices were a beautiful match. Eydie was also Neil Sedaka’s first cousin. The good ‘ol days.
One of the greatest pop singers of all time. (So was Eydie!)
I never find anything dated about a good voice, and Steve Lawrence had one. A real musician — his breathing control is as perfect as that of an opera singer. And such lovely timbre.
Like Matt Monro, whom Sinatra considered to have the perfect voice, a true singer. RIP.
Steve and Eydie (no last names were needed) were popular for their singing and their humorous bickering as a happily married couple.
I will miss them and their lovely voices. Also love those Beatles songs.