She was, as her peers, fans and celebrity admirers called her: “one of our nation's most cherished entertainers” (President Obama), “the QUEEN” (Sean “Diddy” Combs),“an icon” (Queen Latifah), a “story of triumph” (Alicia Keys), “one of the most beautiful women in the world” (Elizabeth Taylor) and “a remarkable woman” (Janet Jackson).
But Horne herself said it best. “I'm me, and I'm like nobody else.”
.
In honor of the legacy of a extraordinary talent, one who taught us how to brave stormy weather, to “believe in yourself right from the start,” and even how to sing the ABC’s. I’ve dedicated this Webway Wednesday to Ms. Horne.
Here she is in 1943's Stormy Weather. It would be the film that put her on the map and gave her a signature song.
Singing a medley of "Cockeyed Optimist" from South Pacific and "Some People" from Gypsy on a 1962 Milton Berle TV special for NBC.
One of my favorite songs: The Oscar-winning Johnny Mercer/Henry Mancini torch song "Moon River"
With her Broadway co-star, Tony Bennett, singing Bacharach and David's "The Look of Love" and Rodgers and Hart's "My Funny Valentine"
Singing a cover of The Beatles' "Rocky Raccoon"
On one of her many appearances on "Sesame Street"