Bette Midler - For Free - Continental Baths

Bette Midler performs the amazing song "for free" at the continental baths

[@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

[@mikehattan]

I was there !

[@Shanaifan1]

What I find amazing is seeing film like this. I was born in 1995 and I'm amazed at what is out there. I adore Bette thanks to my mother who's been a fan since the rose

[@joehiggs100]

A marvelous song which Bette sings so well, she looks vulnerable but kinda in charge. Many thanks.

[@ronatopaz1]

Joni Mitchell wrote this song, and it's one of her very best. Manilow's arrangement is sublime as ever. I do wonder who filmed this, and if they have any other film as rare as this? Thank you, whomever you are!!

[@mikehattan]

Thank you SO very much for posting this. It brought back a flood of memories of some wild and crazy times!

[@jasonjonesesquire]

A piece of history & thank u feelingit845 for some more background! They'll be making films of those days when we are all long gone. A toast to Bette & all the men in towels! Jay

[@ronatopaz1]

Sorry-Just read the comments. Thank you Mr Vito for having the 20/20 foresight to record these shows, knowing innately that she would become a major star and how much her fans would enjoy watching these films (but of course, not knowing her pianist and music director would also become a star) Well, how could you have known? Manilow, Luther Vandross (his replacement ) and T Rex's pianist, he went by the name Reg Dwight then, are the only musical directors I can name that went on to become hugely successful artists.

[@imranoquepaso]

i didn't know anything about this until i saw the documentary "Continental".. I'm so happy that I now know about this masterpiece

[@stevensondavid096]

wows..still bring chills

[@ssblklyn]

Thanks for sharing this moving piece of history. Thanks for the info on Mr. Vito and your own experience, Feelingit845. I am so grateful to you all for sharing this....I get goosebumps walking by there, though, alas, it's long gone....

[@mausetieger]

Yeah thats what it is, a piece of history.

[@mzmiller52]

my god, how incredible she was. original and so self involved as opposed to her posturing and performing today. thank you so much. bought tears to my eyes. by the way, very ellen greene, i wish she would come back

[@gerriesport]

@fatdanios , my dear, the quality is rich if you go back in time since there was no hifi and stereo was just "invented". For me the guy who filmed it is a Hero. I f you go back to the beginning of the comments here you will see how MUCH history this video contains and how deeply it touched so many people . I love it that you think her voice is amazing......I am old my dear, share this history for us, share the love.♥

[@fengfipe]

Thanks delagosis, this is "why I love her"!!

[@aliciastef]

What an awesome fine !!!! Just loved it, thanks for sharing it with me. Hugs, Steph

[@stevensondavid096]

enjoy this the best u can--no sides taken, just welcome to u

[@GayatriAnuragini]

this videos are gold

[@wadeca18]

thank you this is beautiful

[@Redcoat66]

Superb!

[@vanhattan1]

awesome.

[@satyros2]

THANK YOU!

[@DAVIDWCOSGRAVE]

Love , Love ,Love !!!!!

[@seancahalane1839]

Magnificent

[@gerriesport]

@fatdanios sorry i am not english native I only wanted to mention that for me the 'bad ' quality here is very charming in a way. And yes I take it easy since I can't walk. Have a nice day♥

[@bradbel]

The article is fine but check out the video of a 26 year old Bette Midler belting out "For Free." She starts out signing like Joni Mitchell and finishes singing like Bette Midler. Good stuff.

[@mzmiller52]

Thank you to Barry manilow and Bill Hennessy for creating the divine miss m, who only survived for a year or two, before Bette midler killed her.

[@fatdanios]

@gerriesport Take it easy, gerriesport...I wasn't knocking the video and I did say that I loved the song~ Btw, you list yourself as 50 and old....I guess I must be ancient, then~ I'm 60!

[@bettinasteinhauser6042]

Wird alles im Leben gepuscht.

[@fatdanios]

Oh, I love this song! Her voice is awesome! Too bad the video quality is so poor...

[@cobolsaurus]

It says on Wikipedia that Lorna Luft and Sarah Vaughan sang there!!!

[@cobolsaurus]

@feelingit845 Were they steam baths actually or it was just the name of the place?

[@MrCrowebobby]

A little late but, yes, they were steam baths and the audience was all in those skimpy towels the baths had in abundance.

[@cobolsaurus]

@@MrCrowebobby Thank you!

[@madamoiselle0sahara]

what do u mean??

[@SactoGranny]

Isn't she amazing...