Bette Midler - Continental Baths Concert (1971)

Due to her performances at the baths, Bette Midler earned the nickname Bathhouse Betty. It was at the Continental, accompanied by pianist Barry Manilow, that she created her stage persona the Divine Miss M.
Setlist:
“Friends” (song credit Buzzy Linhart)
“Fat Stuff”
“Chattanooga Choo-Choo” (Andrews Sisters)
“Superstar”
“Empty Bed Blues” (Bessie Smith)
“Marahuana”
“For Free” (Joni Mitchell)
“Easier Said Than Done” (The Essex)
“Chapel Of Love” (The Dixie Cups)
“I Shall Be Released” (The Band)

[@rondouglas2625]

I was 17 and visiting my father in New York. I took the subway to the Continental Baths and saw this amazing woman singing and running across the stage like a mad woman. Men sitting around in towels. I thought I was in heaven. I was.

[@nycmatt86]

Wow sounds like those were some amazing times. Thank you for sharing a part of your history with us.

[@ehlerhog]

@17?? They let you in a bathhouse at that age?? Wow .. I woulda loved to have seen her then.

[@rixsist7048]

LMAO I misread this on very fast first glance that you AND your father visited the bathhouse together. I was thinking all kinds of wtf! Lol

[@DippyHippie]

Miss Bette…a legend!

[@pouetpouetdaddy5]

…and what happens after the show…?

[@CarmenZynger]

That is Barry Manilow playing piano. Wow! Just wow!

[@user-wj1fu5wb6g]

Brought to tears, the raw talent, the window in time that can never be revisited, the gay culture, the vibrancy of a lost time. So sad that I never got to experience this sort of stuff in person but also very grateful to be able to see it here ❤

[@bozhijak]

Here, here.

[@thekhamisiproject]

I canNOT believe I'm seeing this iconic performance! I've heard about it, but had NO inkling that someone actually FILMED it! This is history! 😲

[@birdiebreeze1654]

Yes Hohn Graham made the video on a portable Sony reel to reel video tape machine he referred to himself as old palsy palms due to shakiness but the place was packed and he got nudged a lot

[@paulgoodman8476]

This was amazing. I was in college during the early 70's. Worked at the New Haven Coliseum in 73 or 74 when she had a concert just after Divine Miss M shattered the charts. I was overwhelmed by the show but more so by the thousands of gay men who shlepped up from Manhattan, in full regalia, decked out, drugged up and ready to party. It was more than an incredible concert -- it was an event! I will never forget walking through the empty seats post-concert and the incredible remains of the crowd!! Seeing her in this film brought me right back to those early days on the cusp of my becoming a man. Thank you for this historical document of a great talent and the community that embraced and supported her.

[@sandragoodman2059]

You can't look away! She's awesome. A force of nature.

[@MrJoko2812]

I deleted some comments due to insulting contents against other youtube memebers! I will not allow any more of these comments and will continue to delete them all. We are here for the music and the talented Miss M. PS: You are all very welcome and I am very glad that I could make so many people happy by sharing and uploading this treasure! :)

[@stphncrmr]

Delete all of bleucheezy's comments. He's so negative and like you said we are here to celebrate Miss M! I feel sorry for people like him.

[@bleucheezy]

stphncrmr Have you heard of something called the First Amendment, "stephanie"? That ensures all speech, including unpopular dissent is still protected speech! Not just fawning sycophant speech like yours. Another so-called 'gay fan' who sides with gay bashers. I don't feel sorry for you.

[@jlafunk]

Thanks for posting this! I love seeing her perform and it's great to be able to see what she was before she hit the big time.

[@jlelliotton]

bleucheezy The US 1st amendment protects your speech from government intervention ONLY.

[@MrJoko2812]

jlelliotton I am not from the USA and I will delete all insulting comments against other youtube members!

[@junefinocchiaro2575]

Just found this. Her music help me at 19 get me and my mother get through her cancer. Always remember 1971 with a smile because of her

[@flazeda8743]

That's beautiful. ❤️

[@rocket7697]

This is a performer. This is raw talent.

[@hellobluebird52]

So true every aspect of the craft is here drama , comedy , voice, dance , all in its most natural expression , wonder who started coaching her , or if at all ?? anyone know

[@mzmiller52]

hellobluebird52 I think bill Hennessy was the Hal prince of cabaret. I think it was his idea to make miss m a drag queen, Manhattan transfer a retro stylized camp group, Ellen Greene her stage presence, Gotham their zaniness. Others as well.

[@alicehenderson7983]

Yes it is, she had the talent even then

[@gilf5218]

I was 20 ...just out and visiting from Toronto. your show awed me...put me at ease....I was lucky enough to get a peck on the cheek....my life was changed...you and your music were my companions....right to this day...God Bless You.....ps here's a long overdue xoxo

[@arthurkrieck1]

I was there, in January 1971, at 20 years old. No one knew who she was. She came out and the room turned upside down. “Oh! Now that’s a star!” It was obvious!

[@briankillgore9260]

I read a book about Jackie O many years ago, and she showed up at a party at someone's apartment and the writer said that the room absolutely tilted. I imagine that was what happened at the Continental when she hit the stage. A few times in life you are very lucky and you realize that at that moment, you are at the most exceptional place on earth, at that moment,, bar none. You have lucked into a moment of amazing grace.

[@shellyzaikis7065]

She's such a a fun lovin', wild Woman!!

[@needtoknowbasis3499]

Why lie?

[@DavidVarkonyi]

What a treasure this video is! The legendary Continental Bath concerts! Bette is a real talent! She might have not written lots of songs, but she always lives each song! No special effects, just her and a microphone, yet she fascinates and moves you !

[@EverettAlexander]

I WAS THERE THIS NIGHT

[@ikechukwuonyewuenyi3011]

would love to chat with you about it!

[@EverettAlexander]

@@ikechukwuonyewuenyi3011 some of my most joyful times were at the baths with the Divine. [e-mail]

[@nycmatt86]

Wow what a great night it must have been for you.

[@DominicoCaro]

I saw this show live at the Continental Baths, 74 street, 7th avenue near the Beacon Theatre.

[@raineriramalho2669]

so cool 😍

[@gogogumdrops]

you sure you mean 7th ave? That would be in central park

[@rimscat55]

I believe the CB was in the basement of the Ansonia (73rd & Broadway)

[@PennilessPolitics]

@@gogogumdrops yup. T'was the north side of the Ansonia Hotel near Broadway. However, it's an understandable inaccuracy if one traveled there by Subway. It was the 72nd Street Subway station on the 7th Ave line.

[@enriquerodriguezjr4466]

Did you say hi to her?

[@gdavehaw]

This is part of our communities history!! 👏🏻

[@podatrb3360]

Don't be so exclusionary.

[@davidstevenson404]

@@podatrb3360 Gay Bths -- she became a true breakout star there so.. ummm... lolol youu

[@davidstevenson404]

Baths

[@tomgcooktown5019]

The Divine Miss M never forgot where she came from. She will always belong to us & she will never apologize to anyone for it. TgT

[@creswellformey7654]

Absolutely priceless! This is one of those moments that reinforces what an amazing resource KZbin is. I can now say that "I saw Bette at the Baths." Wonderful to see two legends in the making. Thanks so much!

[@MrJoko2812]

You are very welcome :) This has to be shared with the world

[@OddWoz]

Creswell Formey I keep coming to this video over the years. And yeah man, I had the same profound thought. Such rare recordings are where it truly shines. I personally love the Internet Archive/etree too. Great resource for most things out of copyright and when the artist/owner allows recordings(which many many do). There’s tons from the old school tapers.... all the way up to soundboards from popular artists today. Even old cartoons, movies, and more. Definitely worth the dig. 👍🏼

[@margaretcarley8167]

Amen!

[@thomaswojtaszek2274]

This is beyond amazing!

[@rickovery]

Thank you so much for sharing this priceless and unique piece of gay history. I too had always heard of Bette and Barry performing at the Continental Baths, but I could never imagined in a million years that actual footage existed of that amazing event! My mind is blown!

[@carljohnson3747]

A mere two years later in 1973, Bette was doing a month long, sold out run at the Palace Theatre on Broadway. What an amazing rise to stardom.

[@mylesreilly9729]

Memories. I saw this film for the1st time in the early 80’s in a small movie theater in Key West with my first love Wayne McCarthy. She was his favorite performer. We were blown away and felt so lucky to have seen it. He taught her how to tap dance at Henry LeTang’s dance studio.

[@charlkroeger4163]

50 years ago and she has lost none of the fire and vigor! Bette is a fabulous and amazing force of nature! Love everything about her!

[@Aaronbegerttt]

Sadly she has. She admits it herself and probably won’t tour again

[@nycmatt86]

Wow thank you for sharing this part of the history of the gay bathhouses. I wasn't born until 1986 what fun times those must have been. 36 year old gay man here I've been a fan since I first saw Hocus Pocus when I was 8 or 9 years old. Thank you so much

[@DavidCesarVera]

This is absolutely incredible!!!! I’d heard there were recordings floating around but I never thought I’d be lucky enough to come across one! ❤

[@magiclife2179]

Мне 36 и я никогда не была в США, но я обожаю Бетт за ее фильмы, ее музыку и ее непобедимый драйв. Спасибо за эту свободу, за эту энергию. Глядя на вас - я хочу жить!

[@MrMUSIKFIEND]

She was luminous and raucous and transcendent. What a brilliant performer. I'm pretty much going to watch this over and over and over :)

[@rocket7697]

+MrMUSIKFIEND Was?? Is!!

[@margaretcarley8167]

Oh Lord, me too!

[@mzmiller52]

MrMUSIKFIEND was is right.

[@dw999]

@@rocket7697 Well, with respect, there has been a lot of sanitization over the years. I still respect her very much -- she's an original; she broke ground -- but I don't think much of her soppy movies, for ex. ...

[@davidstevenson404]

@@dw999 ?>

[@dcbornmike]

So long ago, when we were all so young!!. I use to take the bus up to NYC from Washington every so often. Went to this Wild place several time, which was so exciting and fun to visit. Washington certainly had nothing like it! Bette really put her all into this and this Washington fan will always be grateful. Such a kind person ....

[@TheJwlasichuk]

One of the few last mega talented stars left. An absolute Icon!

[@martindouwe6099]

As a Manilow fan this is pure gold to see

[@dw999]

Though I've been a fan of hers since her 1st LP, I was too young (and too far away) to understand what NYC was like in the early '70s. Thank you more than I can say for giving so many of us the gift of this performance / the gift of a window onto a vanished world. Wishing you all the best.

[@hudsony777]

Yes, the city is far more colorless nowadays. Too many rich people.

[@ncavlleguy]

This is fabulous a window in time. Bette and Barry a fabulous duo. Bette was a superstar before she knew it . She looks like she’s channeling Janis Joplin ,Who had passed the previous year . It would have been fantastic to have seen her there , but I was only four years old ! And I still love her ❤️🏳️‍🌈

[@mar6762]

Thank you. I never imagined that I would be able to witness Bette's early support for our community. And then I saw this video. I never imagined that I would know what it was like to see a legend in the making. And then I saw this video. I saw Bette! Divine Madness in NYC and again at Jones Beach Theater in 1979/80. I saw her a bunch more times after that. Can't wait for her new tour this year. But to see her at the beginning…. THANK YOU!

[@MrJoko2812]

I´m glad so many people enjoy it that much :) You are very welcome!

[@druthorne3179]

I always thought Bette Midler was an overrated, nutty person. But this grainy video, which I stumbled upon quite by accident, shows an incredible talent!

[@DeniseLaFranceCDNpainter]

How amazing it would have been to be there at the Continental baths there, in the heyday-listening to Bette belt it out.❤.

[@davidkellogg1011]

People HAD to know she was going to be a super star........just amazing

[@channelthree6678]

Doesn't matter how lousy the videotape and lighting are, the talent shines through. Bouyant, Vibrant, Hilarious. One of a kind.

[@nkwari]

I can't believe I am seeing this. Thanks for posting!!! In 1971 I was nine.

[@MrJoko2812]

you are very welcome :)

[@rygysmom]

I am a very long time fan...and I forgot this. She was so ahead of her time. Some of her stuff was "pure genius" for the time.

[@SB-px8oc]

She certainly paid her dues!

[@sebastiankinnunen5549]

❤Iconic ❤❤👍👍👍Thank you! ❤love from Finland

[@nohaylamujer]

I never thought I'd be so fortunate as to SEE this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,.

[@EdsVideoCafe]

wow. recorded on a reel to reel Sony Portapak by the looks of it. thank you for sharing this precious bit of history about not only the Divine Ms. M but also gay culture.

[@jerrihadding2534]

in those early years following Stonewall. Because she embraced, accepted, rejoiced, enjoyed and delighted in the creativity made possible by the gay community and expressed this always with humor and respect, I have always believed that she deserves a Nobel Peace prize. Because of her celebration, everyone of us gained the possibility to also celebrate ourselves exactly as we are. I am seventy-two years old now and Bette Midler is still essential to my respect of myself as a bisexual.

[@mamapetillo8675]

I think maybe a Nobel Prize might be a bit much, dear.

[@jiwbink]

WHY? THEY GAVE OBAMA ONE...

[@mamapetillo8675]

@@jiwbink how exactly does it feel to be a complete anus?

[@flazeda8743]

@@jiwbink And he said himself it was a joke haha.

[@flazeda8743]

@@Shamonwhitehurst252 There's no perversion tho.

[@gerrygarcia653]

Made me cry. I'm 59 and my partner is 80 took us right back to those day. While I was still in high school in a small South Texas town, my partner was already living in NYC and enjoying all this. Thanks so much. In fact we're already planning a NYC visit for 2017 to see you.

[@lcmetherel9895]

WOW!! What a treat! Of course I've seen a thousand clips of this show over the last 40 years but I've never seen the whole thing! She's priceless as always. It's great seeing and hearing her before she really hit, when she was unrestrained and wide open, just letting it rip! Watching her here who could have imagined what was to come? Decades of fantastic music, becoming a movie star, and what she's done in New York City with the NYRP is a living challenge to anyone who doesn't believe one person can change the world. Of everything she's done the NYRP is her legacy and that's saying something when you consider her legendary career and explosive talent. Of course Sophie is her REAL legacy but honey I'm talking about her career so don't split hairs, I'm ugly not stupid! Go Bette!

[@YourJellyFishAteMyTV]

This is HEAVEN!!! love we can all see this 48 years on! Her voice is brilliant

[@geneaguirre8763]

Thank you so much for this posting! I saw Bette at the Continental and was blown away! Half the audience was naked save a bath towel! One could come see the show without stripping! I loved the whole concept and Bette was ... well ... Bette there is no other Bette!

[@xavierdallenmusicuniverse6304]

Her “I Shall Be Released” was AMAZING!

[@steveatl40]

Nice to hear her original take on Superstar.

[@Ramon51650]

I was in the audience for this concert. We all sat there wrapped in micro-towels.

[@jeffsaunders736]

This is incredible... No one else like her before or since... Her cover of 'Superstar' haunting and beautiful... Thank you so much for sharing...

[@finnpetersen1066]

My god I love her - she's the performer of her generation - from miss M to Hello Dolly - She is the best Bathhouse Betty!!

[@LeCrenn]

Amazing that this footage exists. So great to see her at this point in her career.

[@nhill5858]

Interesting to note that she performed and/or recorded SIX of these songs on albums over the next 4 decades! How well they held up. She really gave her heart and soul to the baths performances!

[@jackforseti2535]

I am straight as an arrow and as masculine as can be. I am not really a fan of Midler. However, watching this makes me wish I had a time machine. She is the real deal, pure raw talent. The best kind to watch.

[@billybareblu]

Awesome raw performance. Such a treat to get a look into this past with Bette and Barry.

[@jimkahn957]

This video is merely 45 years old and it’s as fresh as it could possibly be! What a treat! Thanks for sharing this and letting us enjoy it!

[@Talentedtadpole]

Wonderful! The Joni cover - so amazing - & Manilow is a tremendous acompanist.

[@jmj18462]

Thank you so much for sharing this historic video! I hope that it is included in the archives of the Library of Congress, the City of New York, and in every time capsule sent buried here on Earth, or sent to other galaxies! :)

[@lincolnanderson1666]

Definitely a treasure.

[@michaelalago7033]

what an incredible treat to see bette in 1971..honing her craft....awesome clips..thank you..much love to everybody

[@acgogoacgogo8854]

I'm so glad to find this. I always wondered what Bette's performances were like at the Cont Baths although I'd heard they were legendary. I also love that she embraces that experience and often refers to it in her interviews. It's truly great to have friends.

[@nathanbottorff3372]

This is just incredible. I have been an obsessed Bette fan for nearly 20 years. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to see this. Thank you!!

[@MrJoko2812]

+Nathan Bottorff i´m glad you liked it :)

[@lorifriedland9589]

I lived in the Ansonia for many years so it was in the basement. So amazing Bette Melissa and Barry can't beat that

[@jacquelinefuller3167]

Wow! I knew Bette Midler got her start with this kind of show, but have never seen footage from her earlier days before. No wonder she became a star. So dynamic, and an incredible voice!!!

[@Robert-es9cb]

Wow, I was searching for' hello in there' and then found this young, wild and underground miss M, so talented and unpolished, thanks girl for all you did and gave us..

[@BruceWayne-wu7ps]

I also want to thank you for sharing this amazing bit of history! It would probably surprise everyone to know that at a party, Bette is quiet and small ( a tiny thing, she is!) and shy! Not at all like the performer....but an actual person! Still...quite a talent! (C'mon...Hocus Pocus 2!!!) ^^X^^

[@Multi1628]

Cleveland, OH and New Orleans LA still in the house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! R.I.P. Sharon Redd... Continental Baths... Tonight Bette Midler won the 2017 Tony best actress in the musical revival, Hello Dolly ~ ~ she is the Divine Miss M! ~ Congrats to our national hero, Bette Midler! ~ We only hope she brings Hello Dolly to Playhouse Square. I moved here to Cleveland from New Orleans - this is one of the few cities outside of New York where you can make a living in the theatre! Cleveland is a great city to many not "from" here! And, she mentions Seven Hills (OH) in this show ~ Love, Cheers, DAVEDJ

[@gppaula]

This is astounding on so many levels. A true treasure.

[@SallyWilliams]

What a great document ! Real Pop History !

[@TomYpsilanti]

What a treat to see this film, and the technical quality is quite good all things considered. I was lucky enough to see Bette Midler in the great Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan in about 1973 then about 20 years later at Poplar Creek in Chicago.

[@selfinvolved21]

This whole concert just touches my soul. I spent all week end just watching everything on the miss M!!! How magical it would have been to have seen her then!!! Thank you for this

[@DorothyBishop]

This is so great I can't stop watching it. She was so raw and real and authentic. Thank you so much for sharing!!

[@user-ms9oh8zu9c]

How damn wonderful

[@rosshowarth3266]

Bette at her very best. I wonder if she misses those days.

[@jeannettekane6950]

this is a treat to watch and i ve watched it many times thanks to the internet and youtube. i was only 3 yrs old when this was recorded and yet i love both bette and barry so glad they made it big!

[@PennilessPolitics]

I was in the swimming pool through most of the show.

[@Phillda11]

This is a great!! video. I saw her with my old girlfriend on a date back on April 7, 1973 when I was a senior in High School, at the Bushnell in Hartford. It is still my favorite concert of all time. This rendition of "Superstar" is just so outstanding. Thank you soooooo much for posting it.

[@katharinelarson443]

Absolutely LOVE HER!!! One of my favorite Miss M clips!

[@maqes2000]

A nice piece of history....Wow Bette!

[@jimntom1]

What can I say but THANK YOU for posting this!!!

[@MrJoko2812]

You are very welcome :)

[@funwithFred]

She is fantastic. A one in a million voice, and one in a million performer and stylist.

[@gnr19548]

WOW! I knew of her singing at the baths, but who knew it was documented! oh the days and nights spent at the baths... THANK YOU!

[@haircole]

I wish now, when I look in the mirror, I had documented my exploits...

[@brianmccaig]

Makes me want to rewatch the hilarious comedy Film set in a New York bathhouse, The Ritz.

[@davefuller3311]

An AMAZING piece of entertainment history!!! I adore her. Thank you so very much for posting this...thank you.

[@MrJoko2812]

+Dave Fuller you are very welcome :)

[@monicavilla4878]

AWESOME! She is so talented.

[@loriannhunter4387]

Love RED. Her body language is so original so full of characte👠

[@Christophercrispytwo]

Totally AWESOME!

[@anitadrewett4782]

Love that darling person - love her music; been right thru my life - bless her 70 this week xxxxx

[@MamaGator]

Gawd I wanna be able to own myself on stage like she does, she's amazing

[@andymagill100]

Thank you MissM. You are always tasteful and classy.

[@Trans909]

Amazing time capsule. isn't it? Open it up and out pops this tiny, fierce ball of energy with unruly hair, huge eyes, and enough energy to light up a city. I think the gays loved her because she was like a gay man trapped in a woman's body. Performances like these are what made her an international superstar. God, she just blazes with talent and shoot-the-works enthusiasm. That stage is about the size of a postage stamp and she OWNS it, owns the whole room. Luv ya madly, Bette. If you didn't exist, someone would have to invent you.

[@OhJaniceWhyOhWhy]

40:29 Odd to see Bette, a hetero woman, singing a song about advice to women to tell their man they love them, but the audience is filled with gay men in a bath house, backed up by a gay piano player, who is also singing along, so this song both amuses and confuses me.

[@Mrs20090515]

What a great voice

[@goatinza]

unbelievably WoW! The splendidly talented Divine Miss M. Who knew just how famous she would become. - I loved every second of this ... I laughed, cried, and applauded. - and bravo! we survived, the 60's, 70's and until now. - very blessed. - TY for posting.

[@b13ne]

What an extraordinary document! I would have never imagined to find it. Thank you from Italy! (And thank you to the someone who recorded it)

[@djminfll]

I was a little too young to have seen her at the Baths, but I saw everything she did once she went mainstream (Broadway). But I NEVER thought I'd get to see her original Continental Baths performance. Thank you for sharing!

[@christophermalfa4689]

Hi David! It’s Chris. I can’t believe I’m seeing this too! ❤️❤️❤️

[@AKMary1]

What a piece of fabulousness!! Thank you for sharing.

[@stephenacs]

Such a remember of the pure talent and energy of this remarkable performer.

[@jerryschwartz6822]

Wow. Thanks for posting this. I’ve seen clips from this but they looked and sounded awful. I had now idea the whole set/concert was recorded and in this quality. As a huge Bette Middler fan with a romanticized view of this period in gay history, this phase of her career is legendary and mythical. I’m so happy the she lives of to her reputation and my fantasy. And be sure to wait for her final song…I Shall Be Released. Ms. Midler nails it.

[@MrJoko2812]

you are very welcome :) I love I Shall Be Released too!

[@JerryCasas921]

jerry schwartz from one Jerry to another, I couldn't agree with you more!! This was a time when gay men had to hide their feelings. Here in the USA, it was considered a disease until the early 70's. We, as gay men, had to play it straight. Dating women and even marrying women was the norm, so therefore creating a lot of problems to their own homelife. I know many men who are now divorced with children some with great relationships with their ex wives, but a lot with not so great relationships. I cannot blame the women for the anger, society is to blame(in my opinion). Thank God we have passed this period!! It has taken decades, but we have passed this terrible time in our (USA) history. I love that this concert was captured for us all to enjoy and remember. Thank you again MrReto2812 for sharing this with us.

[@doctortheopolis3122]

We can only imagine the colors.

[@marksartor]

AWESOME! Such a STAR already! GREAT performance! (Unfortunately, I think they had to blip out some curse words for KZbin...) Such a radiant STAR! That smile!

[@dannyrowland6136]

I love watching this have loved and been a fan of hers for many years

[@johnl.harmon7770]

Absolutely brilliant!