Harlettes

The Harlettes, aka The Staggering Harlettes, is a trio of backup singers who support Bette Midler during her live musical performances. The Harlettes' line-up has changed many times since their inception.

History

Bette Midler’s stage act grew out of her early '70s performances at the Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in Manhattan which offered entertainment on the weekends. Due to her powerful singing voice, her outrageous costumes and her biting wit, Midler's performances became a favourite of the bathhouse crowd. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,907848-1,00.html "Trash with Flash", "TIME", Sep 10, 1973] ]

Inspired in part by the Theatre of the Ridiculous, McDonald, Marcie: "A new singing rage: The Divine Miss M", "The Toronto Star", Feb 24, 1973] Slavo, Patrick and Barbara, "Bette Midler Had To Kill The Divine Miss M", "In Touch", July, 1974] Midler’s stage show evolved into a bawdy and flamboyant mixture of stand-up comedy, Vaudeville and burlesque. It was during this time that Midler cultivated her stage persona, “The Divine Miss M”. "The more outrageous I was, the more they liked it," says Midler. "It loosened me up."

With the assistance of long-time collaborator and friend Barry Manilow -- who also happened to work as a pianist at the Continental Baths -- Midler found herself a trio of backup singers, which included pop singer Melissa Manchester. Originally they were called The Red Light District, then M.G.M. (because of the initials of the original members, Melissa, Gail and Merle), but eventually they settled on The Harlettes. [http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=15273 Knight, Richard Jr., “‘Hats’ Off to Melissa Manchester”, "Windy City Times", Jun 20, 2007] ]

With the support of her sultry Harlettes and the choreography of Tony Basil, [http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-02-06-bette-midler_N.htm Keck, William, "Divine Miss Midler Becomes Sassy Vegas 'Showgirl'", "USA Today", Feb 06 2008] ] Midler’s performances became known for their exhausting singing and dance routines. In a 1973 review of one of her shows, "Rolling Stone" writer Ed McCormack stated: “Watching Bette and the girls work out, the raw awkward sexual energy of it all makes you think of Tina Turner.” McCormack, Ed, "The Gold Lame Dream Of Bette Midler", "Rolling Stone", Feb 5, 1973] During a single performance Midler and her Harlettes sing everything from wartime radio tunes such as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", depression-era jazz songs such as "Big Noise From Winnetka", show tunes such as "Lullaby of Broadway" and early girl group pop songs such as "Leader of the Pack" and "Da Doo Ron Ron", all while changing in and out of costumes as varied as pink waitress uniforms, sequined gowns and mermaid tails.

Former Harlette Linda Hart was quoted in 2008 as saying that working as a Harlette was "like show business boot camp" and that she learned much from the experience. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/80327.html Jones, Kenneth, Linda Hart, Hairspray's "Miss Baltimore Crabs," Developing a Musical for Herself, "Playbill", Jun 24, 2003] ] Midler was also quoted in 2007 as referring to her relationship to her Harlettes in this way: “We have a great relationship. They adore me and I pay them.” [http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20070507-9999-lz1c7bette.html Grant, Lee, "Banking on Bette", "San Diego Union-Tribune", May 7, 2007] ]

pecial appearances

* Members Melissa Manchester, Gail Kantor and Merle Miller joined Barry Manilow on his 1974 tour following the release of his breakthrough album, "Barry Manilow II"
* Members Charlotte Crossley, Sharon Redd and Ula Hedwig appeared in the 1978 musical movie "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".

"Formerly of the Harlettes"

* In 1977, three former Harlettes released an LP titled "Sharon Redd, Ula Hedwig, Charlotte Crossley - Formerly Of The Harlettes" with Columbia Records. This was the group's only album.

Members

* Melissa Manchester (1971–1972), actress and pop singer-songwriter
* Merle Miller (1971-1972, 1977)
* Gail Kantor (1971–1972)
* Robin Grean (1972–1975), singer, actress and daughter of producer and composer Charles Randolph Grean
* Sharon Redd (1972–1978), dance music artist
* Charlotte Crossley (1972–1978)
* Ula Hedwig (1976 - 1978, 1980, 1982)
* Franny Eisenberg (1978–1980)
* Linda Hart (1978 - 1980, 1982 - 1983), singer and actress
* Katey Sagal (1978, 1982 - 1983), actress best known for her role as Peggy Bundy on the television series "Married… with Children" [Philips, Chuck, "Katey Sagal Tunes Up for a Different Role Profile", "Los Angeles Times", March 13, 1990] and as the voice of Leela in the television series "Futurama".
* Paulette McWilliams (1979–1980), the original lead singer of the '70s funk band Rufus
* Diva Gray (1980)
* Jocelyn Brown (1980)
* Joanne Harris (1983)
* Jenifer Lewis (1983), film and television actress
* Siobhan O'Carroll (1983)
* Helena Springs (1983)
* Carol Hatchett (1993–2000)
* Melanie Taylor (1993–2000), former member of the '80s dance duo Bardeux
* Rhae Ann Theriault (1993–2001)
* Kyra Da Costa (2003 - Present)
* Kamilah Martin (2003 - Present)
* Nicolette Hart (2003 - ?)
* Jordan Ballard (? - Present)

References

External links

* [http://www.thestaggeringharlettes.com thestaggeringharlettes.com (site still under construction)]
* [http://www.betteontheboards.com/ betteontheboards.com - a Bette Midler fan site with a good magazine archive]