Torch Circa 1967

Clockwise: Lena Horne; Barbra Streisand; Aretha Franklin; and Dame Shirley Bassey.

I wasn't quite sure what I was going to post tonight, so I cruised through YouTube, hoping to find a spark. I came across one video, then another. Both from 1967. The light went off, and here you have it. Four performances from 1967, by some of the strongest singers of the time. So break out the tissues, and pour your drink. I will start with the amazing and glorious Miss Lena Horne. With her beautiful voice and elegant style, she could sing anything. So here she sings Someday My Prince Will Come, from Walt Disney's Snow White & the Seven Dwarves, the 1937 animated feature. It was written by Larry Morey and Frank Churchill, and given new spark by Miss Horne.



Aretha Franklin was tearing up the charts in the 1960s, and this year was no exception. She went to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and two weeks at #1 on the Hot Rhythm N' Blues Singles chart with her stunning Baby I Love You.



In 1967, Barbra Streisand was on her way to becoming the superstar we now know her to be. The following year, her first film, Funny Girl, will be released. She had some success on Broadway, and with records, but was still staking her claim on fame. So when she planned a live concert to be recorded in Central Park, some might have scoffed. Well, they shouldn't have. It was a big success, both live and when televised. Here she puts her own delectable spin on the classic, Cry Me A River.



The next song was originally written in French. Et Maintenant was written in 1961 by composer Gilbert Bécaud and lyricist Pierre Delanoë, Later the lyrics were translated by Carl Sigman. It was covered by many, as the song is an incredible anthem for the broken heart. Certainly the great Dame Shirley Bassey knew that, and delivered it will all the heartache one could stand. Here she is, singing What Now My Love?

Worth Another Listen - Sonny & Cher

In 1964, a couple had their first real national success with the song Baby Don't Go. Sonny & Cher, who had tried to make a go of it using the name Caesar & Cleo, recorded the song written by Sonny. So after a few years of real struggle, the couple were on their way. The song made it to #69 on the Pop charts, a real score for them. Here it is, Baby Don't Go.



The following year, they scored a hit with a song that became their trademark, I Got You Babe. Once again, the song was written and produced by Sonny Bono, and sung to perfection by the duo. The song went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and earned them a place in music history.



In 1966, they recorded a song that was originally written by the French team of composer Gilbert Bécaud and lyricist Pierre Delanoë. The song, Et Maintenant (And Now?), was translated by Carl Sigman and became What Now My Love. Sony & Cher's version made it to #14 on the Billboard Hot 100.



If there was a song that could give I Got You Babe a run for it's money as their signature song, in 1967 they recorded another song written by Sonny, The Beat Goes On. It made it to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was a hit all around the world. The lyrics were topical and noting the changes that were happening in the tumultuous years of the 60s, appealing to young and old alike.



In 1969, they had their pride and joy, daughter Chastity. She would go with them everywhere, and often join them at the end of shows. By 1975, the couple had divorced, although they remained an 'entertainment couple' for several years following the separation. Both went on to remarry, and have other children. Cher established a big music career as a solo artist, as well as an actress. For her role in the 1987 film Moonstruck, she was given the Academy Award as Best Actress. Sonny went into politics, and was elected mayor of Palm Springs before being elected to the House of Representatives as a Republican Senator from California. He died after being involved in a skiing accident in 1998. And, of course, over the past few years, Chastity became Chaz, now one of the most famous transgendered people in the world.