Harlettes
Encyclopedia
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.
, 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.
Inspired in part by the Theatre of the Ridiculous
, 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.
With the support of her sultry Harlettes and the choreography of Toni Basil
, 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
.” 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
", "I Only Have Eyes for You
", and "Lullaby of Broadway
", and early girl group
pop
songs such as "Leader of the Pack
", "Chapel of Love
", and "Da Doo Ron Ron
", all while changing in and out of costumes as varied as pink waitress uniforms, sequin
ed 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. 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.”
Bette Midler
Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
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 1970s performances at the Continental BathsContinental Baths
In 1968, Steve Ostrow opened the Continental Baths in the basement of the Ansonia Hotel in New York City. Continental Baths was advertised as reminiscent of "the glory of ancient Rome."-Facilities:...
, a gay bathhouse
Gay bathhouse
Gay bathhouses, also known as gay saunas or steam baths, are commercial bathhouses for men to have sex with other men. In gay slang in some regions these venues are also known colloquially as "the baths" or "the tubs," and should not be confused with public bathing.Not all men who visit gay...
in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
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.
Inspired in part by the Theatre of the Ridiculous
Playhouse of the Ridiculous
The Theatre of the Ridiculous is a theatrical genre that began as an American movement in New York in 1965 with the beginnings of "The Play-House of the Ridiculous" and the spin-off group formed in 1967 "The Ridiculous Theatrical Company"....
, Midler’s stage show evolved into a bawdy and flamboyant mixture of stand-up comedy, Vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
and burlesque
Burlesque
Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects...
. 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
Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana ."...
—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
Melissa Manchester
Melissa Manchester is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Beginning in the 1970s, she has recorded generally in the adult contemporary genre. She has also appeared as an actress on television, in films, and on stage....
. 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.
With the support of her sultry Harlettes and the choreography of Toni Basil
Toni Basil
Antonia Christina Basilotta , better known by her stage name Toni Basil, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, filmmaker, film director, choreographer, and dancer, best known for her multi-million-selling worldwide #1 hit "Mickey" from 1982.-Early life:Basil was born Antonia Christina...
, Midler’s performances became known for their exhausting singing and dance routines. In a 1973 review of one of her shows, Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
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
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
.” During a single performance Midler and her Harlettes sing everything from wartime radio tunes such as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" was a major hit for The Andrews Sisters and an iconic World War II tune. This song can be considered an early jump blues recording...
", Depression-era
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
songs such as "Big Noise From Winnetka
Big Noise From Winnetka
Big Noise from Winnetka is a jazz composition co-written by composer and bass player Bob Haggart. It was first recorded in 1938 and featured Haggart and drummer Ray Bauduc, both members of a sub-group of the Bob Crosby Orchestra called The Bobcats....
", "I Only Have Eyes for You
I Only Have Eyes for You
"I Only Have Eyes for You" is a popular song by composer Harry Warren and lyricist Al Dubin, written in 1934 for the film Dames where it was introduced by Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler....
", and "Lullaby of Broadway
Lullaby of Broadway (song)
"Lullaby of Broadway" is a popular song with music written by Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin, published in 1935. The song was introduced by Wini Shaw in the musical film, Gold Diggers of 1935, and, in an unusual move, it was used as background music in a sequence in the Bette Davis film...
", and early girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
songs such as "Leader of the Pack
Leader of the Pack
"Leader of the Pack" is a 1964 pop song recorded by girl group The Shangri-Las. It became number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 28, 1964.-Original Shangri-Las recording:...
", "Chapel of Love
Chapel of Love
"Chapel of Love" is a song written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector, and made famous by The Dixie Cups in 1964, spending three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. There have also been many other versions of this song...
", and "Da Doo Ron Ron
Da Doo Ron Ron
"Da Doo Ron Ron" is a 1963 hit single by The Crystals, produced by Phil Spector in his Wall of Sound style. The song was written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Spector. The drummer was Hal Blaine....
", all while changing in and out of costumes as varied as pink waitress uniforms, sequin
Sequin
Sequins are disk-shaped beads used for decorative purposes. They are available in a wide variety of colors and geometrical shapes. Sequins are commonly used on clothing, jewelry, bags, shoes and lots of other accessories. Large sequins, fastened only at the top, have been used on billboards and...
ed gowns and mermaid
Mermaid
A mermaid is a mythological aquatic creature with a female human head, arms, and torso and the tail of a fish. A male version of a mermaid is known as a "merman" and in general both males and females are known as "merfolk"...
tails.
Former Harlette Linda Hart
Linda Hart
Linda Hart is an American singer, musician, and actress, mainly appearing in musical theatre.- Biography :As a child, Hart sang in her church choir; at age seven, she joined her father and the rest of the family in The Harts, a weekly gospel television series. Hart attended Los Angeles City...
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. 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.”
Special appearances
- Members Melissa ManchesterMelissa ManchesterMelissa Manchester is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Beginning in the 1970s, she has recorded generally in the adult contemporary genre. She has also appeared as an actress on television, in films, and on stage....
, Gail Kantor and Merle Miller joined Barry Manilow on his 1974 tour following the release of his breakthrough album, Barry Manilow IIBarry Manilow IIBarry Manilow II is the second studio album by Barry Manilow released in 1974. It included the mega hit song "Mandy", as well as "It's a Miracle"... - Members Charlotte Crossley, Sharon ReddSharon ReddSharon Redd was an American singer from New York. She was the half sister of R&B singer Pennye Ford.-Biography and career:...
and Ula Hedwig appeared in the 1978 musical movie Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club BandSgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (film)Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is a 1978 American musical film. Its soundtrack, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, features new versions of songs originally written and performed by The Beatles. The film draws primarily from two of their albums, 1967's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club...
.
Formerly of the Harlettes
- In 1977, three former Harlettes released an LPLP albumThe LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
titled Sharon Redd, Ula Hedwig, Charlotte Crossley - Formerly Of The Harlettes with Columbia RecordsColumbia RecordsColumbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. This was the group's only album.
Members
Group members are shown in chronological order by date of first appearance.- Melissa ManchesterMelissa ManchesterMelissa Manchester is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Beginning in the 1970s, she has recorded generally in the adult contemporary genre. She has also appeared as an actress on television, in films, and on stage....
(1971–1972), actress and 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 GreanCharles Randolph GreanCharles Randolph Grean was an American producer and composer.-Professional life:Grean's first work was as a copyist in several big bands, including Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, and Charlie Spivak...
- Sharon ReddSharon ReddSharon Redd was an American singer from New York. She was the half sister of R&B singer Pennye Ford.-Biography and career:...
(1972–1978), singer - Charlotte Crossley (1972–1978)
- Ula Hedwig (1976–1978, 1980, 1982–1983)
- Franny Eisenberg (1978–1980)
- Linda HartLinda HartLinda Hart is an American singer, musician, and actress, mainly appearing in musical theatre.- Biography :As a child, Hart sang in her church choir; at age seven, she joined her father and the rest of the family in The Harts, a weekly gospel television series. Hart attended Los Angeles City...
(1978–1980, 1982–1983), actress and singer - Katey SagalKatey SagalCatherine Louise "Katey" Sagal is an American actress and singer-songwriter. She first achieved widespread fame as Peggy Bundy on the long-running Fox comedy series Married.....
(1978, 1982–1983) Singer/Songwriter and actress - Paulette McWilliams (1979–1980), the original lead singer of RufusRufus (band)Rufus was an American funk band from Chicago, Illinois best known for launching the career of lead singer Chaka Khan. They had several hits throughout their career, including "Tell Me Something Good," "Sweet Thing," and "Ain't Nobody."-Origins:...
- Diva Gray (1980)
- Jocelyn BrownJocelyn BrownJocelyn Lorette Brown is an American R&B and dance music singer...
(1979–1980), singer - Joanne Harris (1983)
- Jenifer LewisJenifer LewisJenifer Jeanette Lewis is an American film and television actress and singer.-Early life:Lewis was born in Kinloch, Missouri, to a nurse's aid mother and a factory worker father. She attended college at Webster University in Webster Groves, Missouri...
(1983–1984), actress and singer - Siobhan O'Carroll (1983)
- Helena Springs (1983)
- Carol Hatchett (1993–2000)
- Melanie Taylor (1993–2000), former member of the '80s dance duo BardeuxBardeuxBardeux is a dance duo from the late 1980s. The group was formed in 1987 and consisted of Stacy "Acacia" Smith and Tairrie B. The group's first single "Three Time Lover", went to #10 on Billboard's Hot Dance Singles Sales chart. Tarrie B. left the group to pursue a solo career and was replaced by...
- Rhae Ann Theriault (1993–2001)
- Nicolette Hart (2003–2005)
- Kyra Da Costa (2003–2009)
- Kamilah (Martin) Marshall (2003–2009)
- Aléna Watters (2007–2008)
- Jordan Ballard (2007–2009)