Anita O'Day, Kaye Stevens-- Rare 1989 TV Interview

Singers Anita O'Day and Kaye Stevens are interviewed about their lives and careers in this rare half-hour show with cable TV host Skip E Lowe.

[@jasbegs1258]

Great to see/hear the fabulous Anita - wish there was more.

[@waynej2608]

Oh, man, they cut her off at the end. I wanted to hear the rest of her thought. I could listen to Anita sing and talk, anytime. She's the 'grooviest'.😎😍

[@aDogNamedHandsome]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting. I met Anita near the end of her life. This is the most rambunctious I’ve seen her.

[@en23288]

Kaye Stevens flew out of Las Vegas a few days after labor day in September 1960. She was on the same plane as I was--heading to Toronto to fulfill an engagement at the Prince George Hotel in Toronto. I was on the same flight. Prior to that, Anita hung around Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley. Anita was stoned a lot and in between recordng she slept on our couch in our little student apartment upstairs from the art house movie theatre. Both Anita and Kaye were magnificent "artists." Berkeley students loved them. Kaye's great line comedic was to tuck her ponytale under her armpit and ask the audience, "how would you like to shave rhat every morning ladies?" We were friends. I hate this laptop. We are not friends.

[@Seabasstien]

They both seem real and honest, and I still love Ella and Frank but I will try to listen for him "leaning" on the band..but not being a musician what do I know. By the way Anita's Georgia Brown is Master Class.

[@gwenlorenz46]

I watch the video of her performing Georgia brown and Tea for Two at the 1958 Newport Jazz festival on a regular basis. LOVE it!

[@mefirstplease3676]

Anita O Day is a hilarious.

[@ronaldleardi9610]

Love Kaye Stevens. She was one of the best!

[@LKre-vi5oq]

Went cold turkey in Hawaii. Constitution of titanium. Wonderful to see Anita.

[@en23288]

Sorry! Anita hung around on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeleywith the students. It's been a long time.

[@christophernewman8556]

I'm sorry but I cringe every time Anita O'Day starts to trash other singers. There's not one interview where she doesn't disparage Ella and it's sad because what comes across is her own self sabotage streak. I'm not even trying to criticize her for it. Just imagine this beautiful and talented 13 year old girl on a walk- athon during the depression? I think she must have been through hell at such a young age that she became tough and on some level very closed. This great singer should not have ended living in a trailer. Look, it's great to hold to ones opinion but it's also possible to get along with other people at the same time. I can't help wondering if Anita didn't trash two of the highest earning acts in show business might she have gotten more support? I find it tragic because her voice kept getting better. By the 80s she'd developed a strong belt and found a way to sustain notes like never before. Her voice was always reaching new hights and depths for that matter. It's a shame she didn't have a Norman Grantz to take care of her, protect her so she didn't feel like she had to be so tough and lash out. The host hits on it too. She's obviously a very generous and sensitive person. I just don't think she ever felt safe enough to trust that she could relax and be herself.

[@vvblues]

She has informed opinions. I'd rather hear her discuss the technical aspects of her contemporaries than a million reaction videos from a bunch of nobodies. Anita is an icon with massive cred. Her opinions have value and weight.

[@misspm8157]

It was her life and her OPINION. She has the right to them and paid her dues. She is real n not part of the kiss butt club.

[@PatriotSteve]

I appreciate that she spoke her mind. Not many people who depend on the public for a living have the nerve to speak their opinion.

[@PatriotSteve]

What mobile home park did she live at in Hemet?

[@aeichler]

San Jacinto

[@stacyblue1980]

aww she cleaned up years and years back- as she says- and! .. went on to sing in the same club as Zoot Sims! my gosh! She is dynamite.

[@David-lg2dv]

Ah, Now I see where Martin Short got his character Jiminy Glick.

[@mefirstplease3676]

Wait she mentioned Alan Eichler???

[@aeichler]

I was Anita's manager.

[@mefirstplease3676]

Sorry to ask but what was she like? I never got to meet her or see her because when she died I was only 5

[@dan1911c]

Alan, do tell us a little about yourself?

[@aeichler]

I was Anita's manager for over 25 years, as well as for many others, and I arranged this taping. Here's some background: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Eichler

[@aeichler]

She was a character, just like in this interview, and a true survivor. Also a true genius when on stage. She worked sponteously and you never knew what to expect---on stage or off. I recommend her memoir, "High Times, Hard Times," available on Amazon.

[@MrYonexguy63]

Skip Lowe needs to shut up more.

[@ClearOutSamskaras]

The interviewer is such a pretentious control freak.