BETTE MIDLER - Fat Stuff (Live Continental Bath)

BETTE MIDLER - Fat Stuff (Live Continental Bath 1971)

[@feelingit845]

This is so cool. The guy who videoed her shows was named Jimmy Vito. He filmed all her shows there. I know cause my name is Lou Gagliano and worked there. I was privlaged to be Betts Escort the last show she did there. Yes thats Barry on piano Joey Mitchell on drums. It was magic at the baths back then. I hope Jimmy Vito got some credit for all the taping he did bless him to see it on here is amazing. Lets not forget Don Scotty,Ted Hooks, Steve Astrow who made this happen

[@DavidVarkonyi]

They should release all these footage on dvd, it's a piece of history, the beginning of a legend!

[@earthmother]

Bette is a fabulous now as she was back then. i've been a fan since '71, and will be a fan for as long as she is out there.

[@ras613pa]

Those who weren't there then simply can not understand how exciting and fresh and new and fun it all was.....and Bette was a big part of it.

[@allthatjazzspaz95]

I'm 18 years old and a bit of an "old soul"... I've known my gay icons since I was 5 years old. When I was ten, I read every book in the library on Judy Garland. I adore Bette Midler, as well as all the other fabulous ladies who have become role models for the gay community. Like OhLookItsMapheu (in the comments), I, too, am sad that my fellow gays my age are so in the dark about the great ladies that make it fabulous for us to be gay!

[@thetopper1]

Those were the days. These were the some of the best shows I've ever been too. Bette, you are awesome, even in a dive like this...........it's the ambiance, baby!

[@forestkaat]

Only the Devine Miss M would have the you know what to sing this live. There has only been one word to describe her & it has always been DEVINE

[@zombiebowie]

Just discovered a bunch of these old baths vids, always wanted to see them. What great sound for such an old tape! and whatta performance!

[@yootoob2193]

Just 26-years-old and already AMAZING! Thanks Lou and all who recorded this. To whomever preserved it and uploaded it, huge gratitude!

[@robertsnyder7014]

I was sitting next to Bette Midler along with other things between us . On August 5th 1980. At Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles California off of Sunset Blvd . I Bet She Still Remembers ..

[@grai]

It's very hard to grasp nearly 40 years on just how radical Bette Midler was being *just by being in the building* surrounded by gay men The gay communtiy was just a hated secretive fearful underworld in 1971 To see how comfortable and accepting and 'tuned in' with gay sensibilities she is as a straight wowman - considering what a stigmatised group they were at the time - just shows what an exceptional and extraordinary and generous Bette Midler is as and always has been

[@queenybeth]

I love all about her!!!

[@ronatopaz1]

This is wonderful stuff. I love her timing, her stage presence, and best of all her ability to improvise away while Joey toils on trying to fix whatever the technical issue was. Boy, her MD hated the limelight back then, you could barely see him! Least likely person to become a legendary entertainer EVER!

[@mzmiller52]

Rona Topaz Yes, the divine miss m was the greatest entertainer ever, created by Barry and bill Hennessy out of a mediocre performer, who decided to murder miss m and resorted to be the vanilla performer she became. RIP miss m.

[@lauriedudley92]

Wow. Here is something really special. Whilst I know the world has come on a long way for many of the people in the audience there and Bette has evolved as an artist and performer -- what I wouldn't give to be able to have been there. Such an exciting time and what a raw talent she was. Seems like a lot of stuff now is barely even a pale imitation of this kind of tour de force, kick-ass, intelligent, witty, funny and soulful performance art. Yeah, wow.

[@tatiana216]

watch Barry Manilow at the piano. soo good

[@marinusvh]

Brilliant!!

[@soulplumber]

was there

[@SSBNG]

seems like yesterday..keep it up baby...be nice...lol ...g

[@lelandpmorrill]

@feelingit845 I hope also if Jimmy Vito videotaped this he gets credit as well. These are amazing to watch.

[@MegaGum1]

Madonna. Lady Gaga. Christina. All them children was studying.

[@mzmiller52]

whatever happened to marilyn sokol?

[@blakpach]

@feelingit845 it's Steve Ostrow - but yes lets not foget him!

[@stevensondavid096]

@OhLookItsMapheu I did put a thumbs up for you.....you are very knowledgeable--Faye Dunaway was wow--I loved her not as much as Jane Fonda and Julie Christie--check her out--she is sublime in sooo many ways but the point is watch Darling--first gay guy who was just incidental in the movie yet her (char) friend.

[@stevensondavid096]

@stevensondavid096 i meant jack from Will and Grace ...lol sheesh....no drugs here

[@shoemia]

What chipmunktubetop said :)

[@stevensondavid096]

@flight62 might be getting the younger generation mixed up with Jack from Wall Street Journal--Im even impressed by all the nice straight non paranoid straight men and women -- of course -- they are making a difference:)

[@supermandisco]

That performance at a bathouse? They should have paid four times as much just to get inside.

[@mojoworld1]

I love how it is all gay pride posts & history and this that regarding this early clip. It is, but it is not the defining moment nor was it why she was there. Bette Midler does not = gay pride. She worked where they would hire her. Absolutely ridiculous to try to claim performers as a groups because they played certain bars and you can remember it. Shit half the most anti gay performers did. AND NO, I am not anti gay. It is an observational opinion only. Anyway, allot of her fans are straight as well.

[@randvids6072]

It seems a little silly to say she was simply performing there because they'd hire her. Her routine isn't something disconnected from the gay experience. She talks about cherry grove, and her gay hairdresser. She's acknowledging her audience in a very chummy way. You could argue that she was pandering, but that is clearly not true if you know much about Bette.

[@randvids6072]

I'm curious. Can you cite some anti-gay performers who started out working gay bath houses?

[@tinabenez]

Wow!!! A Star Was Born!!;O.. ☆☆☆