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| Any memories of Bobby Short? | |
| Posted by: BillyG 01:08 pm EDT 06/18/18 | |
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| I was reminiscing with a buddy this weekend about Bobby Short. It's amazing how many of my friends met him. Does anyone have any memories of Bobby Short? He was such an individual. Any favorite performances or songs. What a showman who was really a survivor of a difficult time for a black gay performer. THANKS!! |
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| re: Any memories of Bobby Short? | |
| Posted by: wisebear 11:55 am EDT 06/19/18 | |
| In reply to: Any memories of Bobby Short? - BillyG 01:08 pm EDT 06/18/18 | |
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| Many, many years ago, my first boyfriend was acquainted with an older actor whose best friends included Bobby Short and George Rose. We were sometimes invited to long brunches with the trio on the patio at the Stanhope Cafe. The champagne was non-stop, as was the laughter. George and our friend had a game of rating the passing gentlemen on attractiveness, which Bobby (pretended) to disapprove of, only to then dissolve into giggles and whispered agreement. After our friend died, whenever I'd see Bobby he greeted me like an old friend. He always stopped by my table at The Carlyle, to the delight of my companions. One night, as his bass player was warming up with some Jobim, Bobby grabbed my mother for a quick bossa nova. I cherish the memories. | |
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| re: Any memories of Bobby Short? | |
| Last Edit: WaymanWong 06:27 pm EDT 06/18/18 | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 06:21 pm EDT 06/18/18 | |
| In reply to: Any memories of Bobby Short? - BillyG 01:08 pm EDT 06/18/18 | |
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| Bobby Short was an encyclopedia of show music and saloon singer, and I especially enjoyed his breezy renditions of Cole Porter gems (like ''Can Can'') and witty songs, like ''At the Moving Picture Ball.'' There's a 1979 documentary ''Bobby Short at the Café Carlyle'' on YouTube. In it, he does many tunes, including ''Honeysuckle Rose,'' ''Bojangles of Harlem'' and ''Losing My Mind.'' By the way, Sondheim says that during the first two years that ''A Little Night Music'' was playing, Short was the only performer who was attracted to ''Send in the Clowns.'' It was only later that Judy Collins and Frank Sinatra latched onto it. Though Short never publicly acknowledged that he was gay, his circle knew. Asked why he hadn't taken part in any of the gay pride marches of the 1970s and 1980s, Short said: "I have a living to make! I can't afford to march in the Gay Pride Parade.'' |
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| Link | 'Bobby Short at the Cafe Carlyle' (1979) |
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| re: Any memories of Bobby Short? | |
| Posted by: Billhaven 04:53 pm EDT 06/18/18 | |
| In reply to: Any memories of Bobby Short? - BillyG 01:08 pm EDT 06/18/18 | |
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| I grew up listening to Bobby Short, infatuated by his breezy sophistication. I saw him for the first time in Los Angeles at the Roxy (I think) in about 1976. I couldn't believe how free and flamboyant he was. I never seen a man so uninhibited and joyous. His first album is a classic containing his signature song I LIKE THE LIKES OF YOU as well as smart snappy versions of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN THE WORLD, BYE BYE BLACKBIRD and DOWN WITH LOVE. His voice is pure, joyful and sassy with none of the husk that years of saloon singing brought. I saw him a number of times at various venues, benefits and concerts and finally saw him at his home-the Cafe Carlyle-seated at the bar. I spoke with him a couple of times, a little too star struck to be a good conversationalist. He was kind and and polite. I think the compilation recording -50 by Bobby Short contains the best of his albums. The wonderful 60s stuff and the glorious Cole Porter, Gershwin, Rodgers and Hart work. | |
| Link | 50 by Bobby Short |
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| re: Any memories of Bobby Short? | |
| Posted by: liam44 03:33 pm EDT 06/18/18 | |
| In reply to: Any memories of Bobby Short? - BillyG 01:08 pm EDT 06/18/18 | |
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| Yes, I have fond memories of photographing both his apartment on East 57th Street and his house in Cote d'Azur, France, for Architectural Digest. Both homes were quite beautiful and Mr. Short was very eclectic in his taste both in home furnishing and art work. He was quite charming to spend time with and very generous with his time. Doing a portrait of him was on the difficult side, since he was so used to being photographed he presented himself in a very presentational look and I was hoping for something deeper. Still it was a thrill to spend 4 days with him. | |
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| re: Any memories of Bobby Short? | |
| Posted by: Carl326 04:40 pm EDT 06/18/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Any memories of Bobby Short? - liam44 03:33 pm EDT 06/18/18 | |
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| 2 stories from the time I worked at the Carlyle. One night I was chatting with Bobby and he mentioned that when he started working and making some real money and knew nothing about investing. He mentioned a friend of his was buying stock in some new company and he decided to invest there as well - IBM. Then there was the night we only had 11 customers in the Cafe - Bobby was all upset, claiming his equipment had electrical problems and he'd have to have it all repaired the next day. The manager asked me to look it over and see if there was anything I could do. I crawled under the piano and plugged his amplifier back in - a very unhappy Mr. Short performed for 11 people that night. He was a great guy and it was a privilege knowing him. |
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| re: Any memories of Bobby Short? | |
| Posted by: OldTheaterGuy 10:11 pm EDT 06/18/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Any memories of Bobby Short? - Carl326 04:40 pm EDT 06/18/18 | |
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| When I was working in the soundtrack/vocals department of Tower Records, I’d often field telephone questions about what we had in stock and what was available. There were two regulars who often called. Both voices I’d recognized instantly and both were always surprised when I’d greet them by name before they provided it. And they were both always gracious and appreciative of any help. Bobby Short and Barbara Cook. | |
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| re: Any memories of Bobby Short? | |
| Posted by: Zelgo 10:20 am EDT 06/19/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Any memories of Bobby Short? - OldTheaterGuy 10:11 pm EDT 06/18/18 | |
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| I was there the moment two legends, Bobby Short and Leontyne Price, first met each other. Around 2002 or 2003, Opera Diva Leontyne Price was giving a number of public interviews, talking about her career and planned autobiography (which has, sadly, never come to pass). She gave one in the NY Times building auditorium and, I believe, at the Museum of Radio and TV. At this latter interview, I arrived a few minutes late, and Leontyne Price was in front of me, being led into the auditorium. Bobby Short was just behind her. She turned around, and they introduced themselves to each other for the first time. One of my cherished memories. |
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