Years ago, in the early 70s, there was a club called Reno Sweeney's in New York City. The place had "it" - the indefineable quality that makes a room the room for an artist to play and for an audience to frequent. The Manhattan Transfer was there for an extended run, and I think it was that gig, more than any other, that pushed us into a more sparkling level of success in New York.
Aided by a nasty review in The Village Voice, in which Robert Christgau called us racists because we were singing material originally recorded by black artists, the audience turnout was terrific. Everyone wanted to see what the fuss was about.
One night, my father (then a good-looking man in his mid-40s), was at the show. During the first set, he noticed Margaret Whiting, his favorite singer, sitting in the audience. In the break, he went over to her table, and politely introduced himself. She smiled, and listened while he told her of his admiration for her singing. He was a great fan, and though he had spent time with high-level government officials and heads of corporations and unions, this was different. Miss Whiting was a star, and I think he was just a little dazzled. When he told her that he was at Reno's to hear his daughter sing. Margaret asked, "which one is your daughter?", and he replied, The redhead."
"Oh!" she said, "She's very good."
Up to this point, my folks had been worried about my taking up show business. My grandfather was a professional singer, and so they knew it can be a hard and unpredictable life. I was constantly encouraged to consider a more conventional career (Dad opined that I was argumentative enough to be a good lawyer).
But after that night, when Margaret Whiting told him she thought I was good, there was a subtle shift in his attitude. I think that night marked the beginning of my father's acceptance of my choice to be a performer. I owe some of that to Margaret.
Miss Whiting died today, at 86. She will be missed by all who love straightforward, superb, honest singing, and by my dad, who is still a fan.
Great tribute to a great singer. She was on my very short list of favorite singers. Very natural talent, no drama or vocal gymnastics - pure God given talent.
People sometime ask me why I like music from the 40's and 50's so much. (an era before my time) I point them to people like Margaret Whiting, Ella, Bing, Perry, Patti Page. These people just stood at a mike and gave a heart rending performance live. Very few singers today have that ability. I guess that is why I look back at what these ground breaking performers did in amazement.
How wonderful that your Dad got to meet and speak with her. I am sure that her validation of "the redhead" had a lot to do with calming his fears about your profession. After all it was Margaret Whiting and she WAS right!
Posted by: C. J. | January 12, 2011 at 03:37 AM
Thanks, C.J. I really have always felt grateful for that remark of hers. It was a lovely compliment, of course, but its effectiveness as a smoother of troubled waters was huge.
Margaret knew - as did the others you have mentioned - that if you have a great song, all you have to do is sing it true.
Not a fashionable stance these days, but that doesn't make it any less right, does it?
Blessings, Laurel
Posted by: Laurel Massé | January 12, 2011 at 12:50 PM