It’s a sad day for music and television. Steve Lawrence passed away at the age of 88. The actor and singer played many roles throughout his career. He appeared in countless films and television and also in nightclubs.
Lawrence passed away after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. His publicist confirmed his death to the Hollywood Reporter in a statement. Lawrence starred in an act with his wife Eydie Gorme. The two toured throughout the decades, earning rave reviews from a legion of fans.
Lawrence met his future wife while performing singing demonstrations at the Brill Building in New York City. He passed an acquaintance, Bob Manning and Eydie, as they were leaving. “Bob said, ‘I want you to meet Eydie Gormé,’” Lawrence recalled in a 2014 interview. “She had her hair in a ponytail and her ponytail hit me in the face.”
Eydie passed away in 2013 and one of her last tours was in 2009. Her son reflected on her legacy.
“My dad was an inspiration to many people,” his son, David Lawrence, said in a statement. “But, to me, he was just a charming, handsome, hysterically funny guy who sang a lot. Sometimes alone and sometimes with his incredibly talented wife. I am very lucky to have had him as a father and I am very proud to be his son. My hope is that his contributions to the entertainment industry will be remembered for many years to come.”
Steve Lawrence always loved music
Music has always been a part of Lawrence’s foundation. He began singing in synagogue choirs. However, it took Frank Sinatra to set him on his path. Upon listening to the album, he realized that he wanted to be a singer.
Years later, Lawrence ended up in Sinatra’s circle, playing as an opening act for Sinatra on his Diamond Jubilee World Tour.
“I must have been 15 when I heard it. I think I knew [then] what I wanted to do with the rest of my musical life,” he said. “His influence, not only on me, but on everyone who came after him, was so indelible, so powerful.”
Lawrence ended up in the singing industry after a talent competition on Arthur Godfrey’s CBS show. He ended up signing with King Records before he was fully grown.
“I wasn’t that attracted to him,” Lawrence once said. “I grew up in a time when music was written by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, George, Ira Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Sammy Cahn and Julie Stein. “I identified with those people, what they wrote, because it was much more melodic.”
The rest as they say was history.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn