Melba MOORE on InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse

Melba Moore's career took off in the original Broadway production of Hair, but it was her work in Purlie that won her a Tony. From there, she was on to her own TV series and a chart topping recording career, but during the 90's, personal and professional setbacks left Melba unemployed, broke and in the middle a painful divorce. Never one to give up, she turned toward her faith and found a purpose to continue. She returned to Broadway, toured with her own one-woman show and has been recording hit albums again. On this episode of "InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse," our conversation with American R&B singer and actress, Melba Moore.

[@crosbonit]

Melba, Your voice is a voice that is part of my coming of age in the early eighties. So distinctive, yet so familiar, so memorable. Coupled with the music, it's indelibly imprinted in my head.

[@kelsieslifeofbeauty4684]

O7h . 9in n.j u. G o. Gh 7uy. H.l. h .im u mo..mi mi i L. J. U in. B uuuu n u ij8b i j.mm

[@chand297]

I love how genuine and for real she is. Much respect lovely lady❤

[@BobMazzo]

Great interview. Her faith in God in paramount. Praise the Lord.

[@adpny]

this was an excellent life-affirming interview. She was truly candid and she shared great wisdom from her experiences. She broke barriers, set records, and should be more recognized for her talents. thank you for sharing!

[@kandeecooks7309]

My favorite female vocalist of ALL time! I saw her on Broadway in Purlie in 1971 when I was 12yrs old! When she held that note at the end of "I Got Love" I was blown away!!! Then, she came to my freshman year homecoming at NC A&T State University and she turned it O-U-T! Love me some Ms. Melba Moore!

[@mycurrentevents]

Ms. MusicLvr Yes. She spoke at my graduation from Jamaica High School, NY!! I love Her!

[@MsRobbie59]

OMG! I saw her at a local restaurant in Stockbridge, Georgia YESTERDAY! And I didn't have the courage to speak to her and now that I've seen this interview, I wish I could go back in time and just tell her how much I admire and are grateful for her talent in this world!

[@oholm09]

MsRobbie59 really in Atlanta

[@funkyswede62]

Melba has such great talent and she's so eloquent and honest in this interview. I'm a huge Melba fan of course ;)

[@davidbabcock2947]

Oh Melba...I've been a fan for many, many years, Drove into NYC to Tower Record and paid 60.00 for your album at Philharmonic Hall concert circa 1973.....Blue Skies and so many tunes on that album. Sadly never transferred to CD/ Love you from a far.....I'm sad that the music industry didn't have the guts to back you.

[@zionsong4470]

She's beautiful! Nice Interview, too!

[@yaegerstewart4658]

Melba needs to be the business part of it, to help some of these young adults who could use her knowledge.

[@kennethwright8108]

AWESOME INTERVIEW WITH GREAT CHEMISTRY BETWEEN Ms. MOORE and Mr. Manouse!

[@michaelangelovoices]

She's An Angel. Blessed and sincerely authentic Being...Melba Moore. One of my favourite singers for some 40 years! Great interview and for real interviewer. Thank you. Remain Blessed and a Blessing.

[@pauletterful]

I admire her so much. she is such a inspiration to me. I love you Melba. I really do.

[@Hollywood7068]

I'm so glad I'm sampling a song from her on my Hip Hop mixtape she was such an amazing artist with pure talent all credit given to this wonderful woman she has been through hell and back but she has still achieved the impossible her story helps me to pull through even in my toughest situations:)

[@kennethwright8108]

I hope the wixtape is doing well. Make sure you credit her for the sample! :-)

[@Southgate210]

Aha! Power! Staying power! This is living proof how one can pick themselves up by the boots and! And get it!

[@jazzbo9903]

I am just in awe of this great woman.

[@TomIdelson]

Love her sooooo much! And Ernie is such a great and thoughtful interviewer

[@gloriamercer6261]

God bless you, can't keep a good person down.

[@Q88D]

Go Miss Melba, God got his hands on you!!!

[@mrsbobbicisse]

Enjoyable interview.. struck the right respectful tones..

[@reggiegivens3530]

damn she looks gorgeous

[@josephhardaway3]

And when this was recorded, she was 61 years old.

[@jasoncummings7052]

She's not the only one screwed by selfish management. Painful so see their hard work not paying the dividends deserved.

[@EasyPersuasionTPS]

she's really beautiful my mom brought her cassette tape lp soul exposed ive been listening to her music when i was a little girl

[@taia8118]

Melba is such a sophisticated lady ; to find one; it's about one in a hundred thousand... That's just ten in a million Women... Rare indeed..!!!

[@vernettehampton5719]

Melba Moore. You have been such an inspiration to me. I have so much in common with you. Not famous but the Music (Music teacher) background, the family and relationship experiences. Love all the arts. You have a heartwarming story and such a beautiful voice. Best wishes! 💕🎶🙏

[@michaelmitchell5098]

This gave me a different perspective on this sister. Thank you.

[@denisedean2446]

Wow she was 66 years old here! Amazing how young she looks! Staying powers.

[@sharonjefferson8701]

Great interview!

[@lakeiaburgess2902]

Yall better watch her video and listen to falling! O M G. I remember this when I was younger. I can't stop now. Music will never be the same.

[@kennethwright8108]

YES! That's my cut right there (Falling)! Love this song!

[@aharper12]

I'm glad she talked about her medical issues because so many people thought she was on drugs.

[@ccdogpark]

Every time I think about Jaws I think back to a Mike Douglas (talk show) episode that had Steven Spielberg and Melba Moore on. One of the first questions she asked him was: "How did you train the shark to do all that stuff ?" I can't remember what his answer was because I was laughing so hard. I think they went immediately to a commercial break but I'm not sure. I'd love to see that show again. WRZ

[@Dsky40]

I've seen Melba in purlie among other things. she is an incredible talent

[@edwardbryant4959]

Love her.

[@GABRIELJACMEL]

I love the fact she is completely candid in her interview, unlike Gloria Gaynor. Your Gloria Gaynor seemed that she did not want to touch on any of the dark corner's of her life she had gone through.

[@msatxgault560]

where's the Unsung video?

[@mainmajo]

i love Melba ;(

[@donnyshoes2766]

//: They took advantage of Prince also when he was younger, like everyother artist but...in the end he got all his publishing back. The independent artist has to know a little about everything, set yourself up as a small business best thing to do and keep learning 👌 ..

[@kennethwright8108]

GOOD MANAGEMENT!!!

[@jasoncummings7052]

Nikola Tesla pioneered one of the greatest contribution to society and died lonely and broke. Learning the business side is truly important for films, music, sports etc.

[@TruthSerum101]

Miss Moore was not the first African American to win the Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony. The first was Juanita Hall, who was the first Actress of any race to win the award (1950 for South Pacific). The second African American to win Best Featured Actress in a Musical was Lillian Hayman (1968 for Hallelujah Baby). In reality, Melba's 1970 win was the third for an African American in that category.

[@maatspear]

TruthSerum101 Melba was the first African American actress to win Best SUPPORTING Actress in Musical.

[@MsLacy707]

Did she say 30 years ago....she doesn't look a day over 30! wtf wow!

[@christhomas5761]

+MsLacy707 yeah she looks much younger than her years but she is a long long way from 30, she`s at least 60 years old here because this show first aired about 10 years ago and I think this interview is from the first or second year.... She`s 70 now.

[@kennethwright8108]

9:12 LOL!!! :-))

[@breyanlovejerome]

Melba Moore seems very sweet but she already come off like someone's tipsy aunt

[@muffycrosswire]

she aborted Clifton Davis' baby??? whyy??

[@breyanlovejerome]

aborted Clifton Davis baby wow news to me I've seen her doing interviews like unsung and she is very gracious talking about him

[@msatxgault560]

breyanlovejerome yep, she sure did. Their relationship had just ended - so who knows. Clifton was on a downhill spiral from drug use, beating women, being a narcissist 😐

[@maatspear]

4ever Ive heard her in another interview on Unsung where she said Clifton thought her having a baby would effect her career so she aborted it.

[@SouthSideLadyWright]

@@maatspear and Clifton definitely wasn't prepared to be a parent himself. Being strung out on cocaine, and womanizing.