Hard to believe that in this show from the early 1980's Merman was already a veteran of 70 something years and yet she still had her powerful belting mezzo-soprano voice!
Oh, God . . . Her voice was perfectly preserved. I mean, I'm shocked. She never lost it. And did you see that standing ovation at the beginning? If nothing else, that made my holidays.
Opening song for my Dad's funeral ! Shocked my Mother but my Dad loved Broadway and could sing. All show tunes and well....she told me I was the musician in the family and should arrange things. Made everyone happy because that was the essence of my Dad. RIP. William Brown
Now THIS is how it is done. She comes from an era where the stage was not miked. A performer stood square on the stage, and gave it to you full throttle filling the whole theatre with the power of their voice and personality. She was in her mid 70s here and she still had it. Wow!
As a child actor, I was always taught to PRO-JECT!!!! ….as if you're talking or singing to the person in the last row of the theatre. In fact, I once heard it said that a composer told a lyricist that he better get the words right because if Mermann's singing, the second balcony's gonna know." …..or something to that effect.
Singing like that can only be the incomparable Ethel Merman. I heard two songs of hers this week while out of town on satellite radio, and I was thrilled. I always loved her!
I come back to this video so much. She had such a commanding presence and voice. She didn’t need any props or backup dancers. It was just her and the music. ❤❤❤
I agree. Ethel is a classic and boy can she belt em out like no one else. Alas, we will probably not see her like again. Thank you so much for downloading this great artist and a blessing. Cheers
Don't know what took the whole crowd so long to stand up, they should have jumped up!! She always gave it everything she had. Sounded the same from her young age to her old age. What a voice!
Thank you God for Ethel Merman and George Gershwin and all of the fantastic actors, musicians, composers and singers, dancers and those who loved their calling in life. If there is a heaven please let me be with them.😊
The greatest musical star ever. This has always been and always will be Ethel Merman's theme song. No one can take it from her. Gypsy was written for Ethel and nobody else can play that role like she does.
I love to hear this woman sing I remember her so very much the times I heard her on the television or radio. My father really love to hear this woman sing she was probably his favorite lady singer. He was big in gospel music in South Carolina. My mama love to hear her sing also.
If everyone could project like Ms Merman, we'd never have invented microphones. She defined "Belting out a tune". I am so privilidged to have lived during her heyday. She has come to characterize musical-theatre for me.
How many people can say they've had music composed by the likes of Rogers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and others? An amazing career, and THE true Diva of Broadway
Both Merman and Fred Astaire introduced numerous songs by Berlin, Porter and Gershwin. Neither introduced a Rodgers and Hammerstein or even Rodgers and Hart song.
1040 likes. Back in the day it would have been millions world-wide! As a child of the era, and a young adult, I was not into this stuff - but in retrospect I'm glad to have lived through the era and to also have these classic reminders of time with my beloved parents..
Still brassy and lively.... this is one of those rare moments when you can see the magic of an old theatre war horse. Thanks for posting this for all to see!!!
When Marlo Thomas was just getting her own show started, Merman appeared twice as a guest and was so gracious in script in what she said to the budding star. She must have touched Marlo deeply. Such a class act to be gracious at the peak of her career too.
The only reason I can even think of for the five people who disliked this video is that they accidentaly hit 'dislike' when they went to his 'like.' Ethel Merman is a goddess.
All there is folks!! Here we have America's finest Musical Theatre STAR!! It takes your breath away! WE LOVE YOU MISS MERMAN!! The **GREAT AMERICAN REVUE** will tell your story!!
I was at this performance. One L.A. Times ad and it sold out. $15 for one of the greatest nights of theatre ever. No one knew who was going to perform. The ad listed a who's who of Broadway performers and said some would appear. When Ethel Merman was announced as the first performer. you can't imagine the thrill that went through that audience.
Ethel had such a powerful stage presence. When you think of Broadway, you automatically think of Ethel right away. I wonder how boring it would have been without the 50 years, and 14 plays Ethel starred in. The very best shows written, and musically scored just for her. What a voice. A national treasure that is so missed today
No finer singer has graced the stage.When Ethel sings it's like an extension of her personality.She personifies everything that is missing today in Hollywood and on Broadway.
I knew all the stage hands at this theatre, and Merman had three doctors with her throughout the show. Later, she sang "(Falling In) Love Is Wonderful." I had seen her in "Gypsy" and at the Hollywood Bowl. A few years later I saw her again at the Hollywood Bowl, where she did her repertoire. Her Final number surprised me. She sat and accompanied only a piano, sang a lovely, plaintive, "What I Did For Love." A wonderful performer who always gave her audience what they wanted.
Broadway lore has it that, after seeing her performance in "Girl Crazy," George Gershwin advised Merman to never take a singing lesson! He was concerned that lessons would destroy her unique talent.
Andrea Martin did a funny Ethel Merman imitation singing "Silent Night" in SCTV's Staff Christmas Party - you can find it on RU-vid around the 3 minute mark in the 1 hour show.
Just watched the movie version of Gypsy with Rosalind Russell and then had to look for this video to see how the song is really supposed to be sung. She was one of a kind.
