The Wiz - Be a Lion with Stephanie Mills

The Wiz Be a Lion Stephanie Mills

[@DEFinitivelyHis]

Oh My Jesus...I never thought I'd see this purely powerful performance again. I think I am going to shout right now.. I saw the original cast with Stephanie Mills, Ted Ross, Hinton Battle, and Tiger Haynes when I was 6 years old. That woman singing in the center of that stage changed or rather set the course of my life. MET Opera bass-baritone Gregg Baker is an absolutely fabulous Lion! He will do JUST FINE, too! BRAVI!!!!!

[@kwanshiyin]

I saw the original cast as well. I will never forget it.

[@faithlivinghomestead]

I felt the same way, I seen this at 8yrs old

[@Ladylightway]

Simply Beautiful!! i wish i could have seen this Live. Wow!!!! So Beautiful!!!!!!

[@craiga.ballard8032]

By far one of the best voices ever "Ms. Mills" 💘

[@MaskedMan66]

Judy Garland would have adored her.

[@dominiquedevereux7205]

That's crazy that she was a CHILD and had a voice like that.

[@x0xTHLover4Lifex0x]

She was about 23 in this video hardly a child. But yes her voice was and still is incredible

[@donalddavis6689]

AMEN. God Given Voice 🕊 🕊.

[@donalddavis6689]

14 Or 15 Years Old.

[@briafx]

She was a child!! I always said the same thing

[@JaySmith-wo3di]

@Jarred Knox Disrespectful as hell.

[@SonofBaldwin]

Stephanie MIlls' voice is a damn GIFT!

[@DaOrigTruthSeeker]

Why a damn gift.....why not just a wonderful gift? Why such a choice word as damn. When something is damned it is not a good thing. She has a magnificent voice.

[@danafripp4120]

Shonuff!!!!!

[@DaOrigTruthSeeker]

***** Shut up! Learn that words have power.

[@vellem7527]

+DaOrigTruthSeeker If u think about it, all words are made up with man made definitions placed upon them. One day someone said this is blue and this is what blue looks like. Words are just that, words.

[@hopefulromantic4660]

+DaOrigTruthSeeker look he was complementing who cares what he said I'm sure Stephanie mills wouldn't she'd be happy someone saying he voice is a damn gift

[@millionddiva]

I was lucky enough to see The Wiz on broadway in 1975. I saw it over 10 times. The way those people saaaaaaang those song still gives me goosebumps! To be in the audience watching them sing these fantastic songs was such an awesome treat. I can't even begin to explain the feeling. The audience went nuts--standing ovations every time I saw it. Be A Lion brought down the house every time! They knocked it out of the park each and every night. I'm so blessed. An amazing, amazing experience.

[@rosebuddraper2666]

In 1975 I was 8 and remember my aunts, my mom and a few others going to see it. When I heard the album, this was one of my favorite. I thought she sounded beautiful but this right here, 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@WellBreadIII]

Yeah, me too! I went back then (I was eleven at the time) and saw it like four times!! Based on some very real challenges I experienced during my pre-into-teenage years, this production, the cast and the music was a great amount of what I held onto, and believed in to bring me through a very turbulent time. Thanks for sharing your memories as well, I'm actually crying with tears of joy right now from the beauty of these memories, outstanding performer's and knowing that I DID make it through - I had to, "Believe", know that there is, "No Place Like Home" and "Be a Lion"!!! 😊

[@millionddiva]

@@WellBreadIII so heartwarming. So glad to hear you came through it all. Thanks for sharing--it takes me back again.

[@WellBreadIII]

@@millionddiva Your welcome and many thanks to you as well. So glad to know how shared the wonderful impact of this production and the artist(s) have been on those of us that saw the original cast. As well, I didn't realize how healing it would be to share my past, thank you for your kindness & response! 😊

[@lynnhumphrey9691]

Stephenie is so cute and teeny! She looks like a little doll standing beside the Lion. Love the emotion she put out in this song.

[@chanj1950]

That role was Stephanie's and this video does not begin to catch her powerful vocals. I saw her sing this play live the second time 15-20 years after the original Broadway play and she sang this duet with the original lion at the Hanna Theater and they brought the house down..

[@MaskedMan66]

Ted Ross, really? Wow!

[@blksrver]

that child SANGGGGGGGG!!! Ive never heard anything like it before And Ive seen her A billion times. But she sang the hell out of that song., She brought tears to my eyes

[@nvcstage]

My high school did this show, and though we did the "all white" version, nothing will top this show/cast/everything. Be a Lion is my favorite song from the show. It is very moving, and Stephanie Mills is a lost treasure. I want more of her!

[@SonofBaldwin]

Oh Stephanie went in. And just when you think she has reached the pinnacle, she gives you more @4:21 and them more and more until that absolutely flawless finish. Before Whitney, there was Stephanie. #Trust

[@813queenPearl]

YES LIONNNNNN!!!!! Stephanie, of course, slayed...but that lion quietly snuck up and just did the business.

[@AndrewGKarl]

GUYS. She still had to sing Home after that. Like, Jesus. You betta Miz Mills .

[@granddivo]

I believe Stephanie Mills has to be a freak of nature to be able to sing like that. She is amazing!!!

[@desireewade9896]

This is the one I seen live in the 70's live it was good I enjoyed it!

[@Rael0505]

All of Dorothy's accompaniment from 4:17 to 4:28 is completely unexpected. Sends chills down my spine! No wonder the audience collectively applauded. Sending this live must have moved the audience to tears.

[@kwanshiyin]

As someone who saw it, yes it did.

[@kstar3249]

I'm hooked on that part. Brings me to tears.

[@ckdesert]

WOW Steph...that last note was BEAST!!!!

[@bcp0703]

4:10 My word.. Ms. Mills took off and never came back! Good gawd..

[@SuperHurricane75]

Stephanie murdered this song. it does not sound the same when Diana sangs it. Stephanie has power behind her voice, like Jennifer Holiday. But talents should not be compared. Diana is a Queen as well as Stephanie, and Jennifer Holiday that is. NOT THAT SCREAMING JENNIFER! I walked out the movie, she meesed that song up. She can sing but And I am telling you is Jennifer Holidays hands down. GOD wrote that and made her voice to fit it. NO ONE CAN PLAY EFFIE, OR THE ORIGINAL CAST OF DREAM GIRLS OR THE WIZ. Besides Michael Jackson, he did the damn thang in the wiz!

[@ahlupenya4564]

SuperHurricane75 OK, first you say talents shouldn't be compared, THEN you immediately start comparing the two Jennifers.

[@vellem7527]

+SJ Jamal My words exactly

[@Unajanay]

I'm curious to know what you thought of The Wiz Live lol.

[@EricPancho]

After watching video all I need to type is STEPHANIE MILLS!!!

[@AlansNewMutant]

Has @PrettyMill1 (Ms Mills on Twitter) seen this blast from the past?? PHENOMENAL ALWAYS!

[@davidkutos4422]

The Wiz was my second Brdwy show I had ever saw in 1976. I have always identified with the Lion being the Leo that I am! The Wizard of Oz is such a journey of ALL our heats to find our Faith in our, Courage (Strength) , Heart (Love), Mind (Wisdom), and get to our Home. On my birthday I always believe that God told me to be a Lion to help others to find their home and Ease on down that crazy road!

[@trippytrellis7033]

Awesome. Stephanie can sang! I'm still waiting for the Tony Awards to admit that they made a mistake for not nominating her for The Wiz.😞😷

[@craigwalters]

That was Greg Baker I think singing the Lion. He was a wonderful baritone who sang a lot at the Metropolitan Opera. A huge man with a great voice

[@ahlupenya4564]

Was??? He dead!??

[@craigwalters]

@@ahlupenya4564 He is not dead. Greg is very much alive

[@vellem7527]

I'm just tryna imagine Diana Ross up on that stage with all that grinning whispering she be doing "What u say honey, that ain't gone cut it u gone have to SANG! up in here". Lol

[@MMJones9091]

Velle M 😂😂😂💯💯💯

[@classanddignity]

Just because Diana has a softer Soprano sound doesn’t mean, she did not sang this song. Her voice carries differently. Stephanie did a good job; however, like MOST RandB/Blacks singers, Stephanie is missing the element of CONTROL for her lower resonance so she is NOT holding and gliding the notes on the lower parts like Diana, who floats on the note while caressing each note and extends each one effortlessly, while Mills cuts it off. To sing those parts, you don’t have to be a belter/loud to sing them well, but a crooner like Diana nails them, even though her belts may not be as loud, it is clear as a bell with an immaculate tone/pitch. Diana don't need to be the loudest, but has one of the most versatile and BEAUTIFUL VOICES in the world.

[@x0xTHLover4Lifex0x]

classanddignity Oh shut up. Diana can't sing for shit. Her looks and her sparkly diamond twat got her where she is. Nothing more.

[@classanddignity]

A black woman in the 60's who outsold nearly everyone to rival the Beatles and Elvis, would need more than that to succeed and have a career up till today 2018. Why don't you listen to Be A Lion by Ross to see how she captured the subtleties of that song better than Stephanie, who forced it out only to get to the louder parts. Diana may not be as loud, but Stephanie does not sound better than Diana in that song who floated sweetly and effortlessly throughout the song. Diana can just sing more than RandB.

[@x0xTHLover4Lifex0x]

classanddignity you mean Diana whispered through the song...and guarantee she was putting out with her high yellow self...she sold records because she was fucking her way through the industry. but Stephanie who has the superior voice could sing rings around Diana when she was about 5 years old...during Missy Ross's height of fame mind you...no Stephanie was robbed of the roll in the movie. And its probably because she was dark skinned. Willie Lynch racism clearly.

[@Ejame2]

my favorite!!

[@janetwashington5090]

How old was Stephanie Mills, here?! WoW! What a set of pipes, and the talent of how to use them!!!

[@Phoenixxe]

Weeping!!!!! I didn’t know aunty Stephanie could do that... christ, I’m exhausted. What a voice! What emotion. This is saved for inspiration, chills, tears and joy. Thank you to sneaky videographers. This has blessed my life. STEPHANIE MILLS!!!! 🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️😢😭

[@briafx]

George Ikediashi what didn’t you know Aunty Stephanie didn’t do babe?

[@stephaniemills_fanpage]

How?? You must not know Stephanie Mills then because In ever song she takes It to Its heights.

[@richardgoward1345]

I'LL NEVER FORGET THE DAY MY FATHER TOOK ME AND MY MOTHER TO THE MAJESTIC THEATER WITH THIS!, 😍🤩 AND I KEPT COMING BACK TO EVERY SATURDAY MATINEES FOR TWO MONTHS AND MISS CLARICE TAYLOR TOOK ME TO THE BOX OFFICE WINDOW AND 💕 GAVE ME A SEASON PASS! 👀💯🤩😍

[@Vincent50]

I agree...Stephanie was DOROTHY in the WIZ though I loved Diana Ross's performance she was too old to be playing that part. But then that's showbusiness and the WIZ didn't break the box office but damn, the production was off the chain musically. Stephanie sounds magnifacent here and I still love her and she still can SANG her butt off.

[@BronxBob]

She sang the notes off that song! Incredible. She's my favorite singer.

[@iammarcnixon]

I just SHOUTED!!!!! THat was EVERYTRHING!!!!!!!!!!! Omg

[@shakeybynum6424]

Magical years😃😍🔮

[@stuffrules416]

This is rare

[@geraldsurratt1251]

There will never be a voice like this. FANTASIA IS GOOD BUT . Miss Mills voice is smooth and clear.

[@travesalexander3313]

Fantasia reminds me of Steph a little. They both have very powerful soul voices.

[@lpinckney8646]

I remember seeing this show 3 times. Still moves me. I hope they bring it back. It is a classic,

[@TomCatFromMA]

Stephanie is by far the better singer. Lots of things come into play as far as the making of a superstar. It all came together for Diana who was extremely beautiful and had a great body that looked great in anything she wore. It's complicated but definitely Stephanie Mills is the bomb and any professional critic or DJ will tell you that she is way more talented than Diana Ross any day.

[@porterhouse1974]

Stephanie was the shit....

[@Kymamusic]

This brought tears to my eyes. My mom taught me how to sing this song back in the day. Be a lion will always be that special song in mylife to help encourage others during their struggle. Thank you for posting

[@PurplePegasus2531]

luv it luv it luuuv it. she is soo precious. you go Stephanie Mills and Greeg baker!!

[@MaskedMan66]

I know Stephanie's tiny, but that is one tall Lion!!!

[@bubbojones]

Stephanie's stellar performance with this production was huge, and she really polished her "stardom" so to speak with a dynomite performance like this. Blessings for sharing.

[@whatigot2say]

shame she was cheated out of the role in the film because 34 yr old diana ross decided she had to play dorothy, Ross a powerhouse talent then was ridiculously miscast as dorothy.

[@geminijlj0606]

My mouth is on the floor!! That was... Just..... WOW!

[@barose1]

Stephanie Mills is legendary, period; and the gentleman who played "Lion" was the best Lion I've ever seen play this role. You really believed him!

[@me1ization]

One word, DAAAAMMMNNN lol :O

[@nikkiluren528]

no one can play the part like the ones who played it on stage!

[@SuperHurricane75]

One of the best voices ever!

[@liljizz1]

They sung the hell outta this song gon on stepanie wit yo bad self...

[@71crm]

@craigwalters Also, I think the Cowardly Lion costume consists of platform shoes, which does give the appearence of towering over others!

[@mikeyirish1967]

This made my heart happy. The talent! Oh jeez -- I am CRYING!

[@yvette7536]

A 9th grade class trip gave me the honor to see this wonderful show in New York on broad way, my first time in New York, I thought one day I would return there to live but didn't. That day was magical for me, as we got to meet an alumni of Langley Jr. High in D.C. Hinton Battle, the scarecrow. I some years later took my own children to the Warner theater in D.C. to see a live performance of the Wiz, forever a classic.

[@BroccoliBeefed]

No, the movie tanked, because it came across as a black ghetto mess, and many people were expecting to see a 16 year old Dorothy cause they were too attached to Judy Garland's 1939 adaptation. I don't think the failure of the movie had anything to do with Diana Ross, although it is true she was a very spoiled star and usually got what she wanted. But at the same, she was the only black actress singer superstar at the time. No one knew who Stephanie Mills was

[@patriciaehrhardt7889]

DED, kilt ded with this.

[@marcelliscutler]

OMG This is sickening! They murdered it dead. O_O I'm so upset right now!

[@Th3On3Y0uW4nt]

Explain to me why you think this is so bad? Apart from the costuming, this is pretty amazing vocally and acting-wise!

[@marcelliscutler]

+Tony Lewis Williams Who thinks this is bad? This is incredible!

[@Th3On3Y0uW4nt]

+Marcellis Cutler Sorry. Usually in the "musical" world, murdering something means you botched it and you said you were upset so I was just trying to understand a bit better. xD

[@marcelliscutler]

+Tony Lewis Williams I'm just upset that these two great performers snatched my life and went on to the next scene like it was NOTHING! I aspire to this level of Black Excellence.

[@Th3On3Y0uW4nt]

+Marcellis Cutler It makes me sad that this production didn't even last long. I mean I understand the costuming issues, but overall, this cast was amazing. (Well, minus the Tin Man. He wasn't my favorite. Prefer Tiger Haynes.)

[@TomCatFromMA]

You're wrong. The movie was a ginormous flop. Michael and Diana were tight and that's the only reason they were both in it. I never even saw it because of so many bad reviews and the trailers sucked big time. I loved Diana back when, but she will NEVER compare to Stephanie when it comes to vocal power and soul and everyone knows it. Stephanie didn't have the looks to make it really big and maybe didn't have the greatest song writers in her corner but she is INCOMPARABLE TO THIS DAY.

[@eliottrobinson8288]

WOW I felt just as much with amazement watching this poor blurry video then the day I saw The Wiz in 75. Simply a stunning performance and Content.

[@MrDuffmann22]

okay why couldn't she go ham like this and slay on the album, i bet they asked her to tone it down or something

[@elijahbradley1055]

MrDuffmann22 frrrr, cause on the album u can hear the quality of her voice clearly, Idk why she didn't bomb that shit

[@s.j.l.8252]

Remember, this REVIVAL is almost a decade later. By this time, she was an adult with a very successful recording career. Her style and interpretation would, of course, be much more soulful and polished by this point in her life.

[@mantellim5489]

there should be two like buttons

[@TIMYRAJOITJ]

OMG!!!!!!!!!! AMAZING!!!!!

[@whatigot2say]

@mjis4evamine Yes 4 sure stephanie would have killed it, and the move would have been a huge hit, instead it was pretty much a flop, don't know what diana was thinking or why Berry Gordy didn't or one of her people didn't talk some sense into her, that role was for a young girl and no one was better for it than Stephanie.

[@eb8532]

She did NOT have to show out like that! Werq Ms. Mills

[@TomCatFromMA]

Man, just create a new account and upload them again. Change your ip address by unplugging your modem. Give a copy of the videos to somebody else to up load PLEASE! These are unique recordings. They never sold a video of the live performances that I know of. Fuck those ass holes for not sharing this with the world. Stephanie, I love you forever!

[@songinem]

OK I'm first off so excited and can't wait to see the wiz Dec 3rd 2015 and Stephanie is playing Aunt em. I just pray they find someone to fill her shoes as Dorothy . I saw mills play Dorothy as a 3 year old it's actually my first memory I can remember that was in 79 then I saw her reprise that role when I was 17 in 93 following having the pleasure of doing the show at my high school in 92 . I grew up with the wiz. I have the tattoo of the original Broadway cover tatted on my stomach, I am a true wiz fanatic and miss mills is the only Dorothy . She killed murdered and slayed that role and those songs. She owns them . Now the Broadway recording be a lion is an anomaly in itself but when she does it live it just lifts the spirit and takes u away to that beautiful place she's singing about . It's almost like a religious experience when u listen to the words of the songs in the wiz , they are very powerful life lessons and gifts , even U can't win from the movie , if u break that song down and listen to the words and see as its sang by a scarecrow that has no brain , Michael really let it be know of how the struggle was and still is real for all of us who were told we can't win . That song was written for the Broadway musical but was cut out because the show was too long other songs were taken out as well but the wiz is everything to me . I'm so glad I saw it twice because it has shaped my life and I still to this day will pop it in and blast ease on down the road while I'm driving . Can't wait to see it on the 3rd of Dec, let's all support this and make it a smash as its going on Broadway after for the 2016-2017 season . I'm there easing on to where ever it's at

[@MrJuly1990ish]

But you have to admit in the movie version, that part was meant for a teenage girl to be cast in, not a 35 year old woman.

[@smercuryfangrl9]

@cjabiabi She was originally going to be in the movie. But then Diana wanted to be in the movie and I guess she made a deal that if she was cast, she could get the director a company that will help produce the film and she would bring in MJ to be cast as the Scarecrow. I just wonder what this would've been like hearing Stephanie Mills in the film. If there's ever a Broadway revival or another movie made that's closer to the Broadway version, Stephanie should be cast as Glinda, that'd be cool! :)

[@dominoeffect1]

Thanks,Thanks ,Thanks-brandonmjonston!!!!!

[@craigwalters]

@71crm - I don't know how exactly how tall Greg Baker is but he is a very big man. And everyone know that Stephanie Mills is tiny

[@TomCatFromMA]

She's not missing a sock, she injured her ankle. But I wish they had covered it up better.

[@whatigot2say]

Critics disagreed with your assessment of Dianes' performance. She was not the best choice for the role and the picture tanked. Her fans didn't want to see her as dorothy and even her star power which was huge back then was unable to save the film. Although she did some of her best vocals of her career thanks to Qunicy jones.

[@dordor1014]

although she missing a sock still love her

[@TomCatFromMA]

Wow, you know, sometimes you need to just be quiet about that shit. I could have gone the rest of my life without having to hear that nasty talk about Stephanie. You know, people say shit (the cast) when they're jealous or whatever. You can see she worked very hard and was very young and had a lot of pressure for a teenager. The show was revived for a second run years later which proves that she made a lot of people happy and made everyone lots of money. They were happy for that weren't they?

[@K-MasterGirl]

Everytime I hear her sing I can’t help but think “why are other people even trying” 😂

[@k.n.carter8089]

Brilliant! The little lady with the HUGE voice. Stephanie's still sounding great...check out her new single, "Let's do the right thing". It was released June 2021.

[@71crm]

@craigwalters How tall was he? he looks like he towers over Stephanie Mills here, then again, Stephanie's only 4'11!

[@dramaking7777]

IF GREGG BAKER & STEPHANIE MILLS have the BE A LION video why doesn't ELLA MITCHELL have the NO BAD NEWS video uploaded? SOMEONE PLEASE UPLOAD IT! this revival cast is GREAT!

[@blaqwidow8551]

The Wiz was the first muscial my mom took me to aswell. I truly fell in love with the movie and the play. Both Step and Diana did a good job in my eyes. The Wiz will for ever be a classic for black americans and should be for all americans.

[@sullany12]

Phenomenal breath control!

[@adrnbail]

Lawd have mercy on my soul is lifted just listening to Miss Stephanie Mills. A gift to us all!!!!❤️❤️

[@elijahbradley1055]

YES, thats it!!!!!! Thats how its supposed to go!!

[@jimraw1]

What year is this production from? I know Ted Ross played the Lion when the show opened in 1975 (he won the Tony and did the Lion in the roll). I see someone mentioned it was Greg Baker, so what year is this?

[@lanceboydtalent]

Thank you thank you Thank You. I have been looking for Be a Lion for about two years when it was first posted.

[@ckdesert]

..............The performance A+........now I gotta go back to "You and I have what others dreamed about" Chiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiile!!!!!! "We finally worked it out!!!!... I Feel!

[@CDawg]

So, this performance makes you "feel good all over"? I can relate.

[@damarcusmomm05]

She was 15 sanging like this SMH... Beautiful.

[@TomCatFromMA]

Anyone who wants to preserve stuff like this when you think it might get taken down get FREEMAKE VIDEO CONVERTER. It's truly free and it is fierce! I use it to make mp3s of music videos here to play in my car. It makes videos too.Spread the word. Google it, you'll find it easily. Also, use Mozilla Firefox for your browser and the the free addon, DOWNLOAD HELPER. It will record youtube videos and save them as popular formats. You can still use IE if you must. Just use them both. It's easy.

[@kinggmj]

We need to have her back in this role...Sorry Stephanie and VIctor for the pressure!( I luvs you both(LOL))

[@GermonoToussaint]

Her placement is cra!

[@nevrcn4get]

Stephanie just made me curse.

[@kinggmj]

We need to have her back in this role again...Sorry for the pressure Stephanie and Victor!( I luvs ya both)

[@jennifergray6433]

Stephanie Mills is Dorothy. As much as i love and respect Diana Ross, Stephanie is it!!! Diana tried her best.....

[@crose255able]

She killed it but why does she only have one sock on

[@jisanpark9806]

It might have been an ankle wrap. She probably got hurt.

[@Rael0505]

Watching on repeat for hours. Can't get enough.

[@maggiestone7982]

I want to be brave this year for the Fourth of July. Maybe I should give it a try.

[@TomCatFromMA]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT A JOY IT IS TO HEAR HER AGAIN LIKE I DID WHEN I SAW THIS IN BOSTON SO LONG AGO. I LAUGHED SO HARD. IT WAS WONDERFUL.

[@divaell821]

WOW, WOW, WOW!!!!

[@catfish36]

Yes, I was enthralled by this production as a child and dragged my mother to Sam Goody's to buy the Original Cast album. Wow, talk about your memories.

[@derrick_smitty]

you were definitly blessed, its good to know you appreciate your parents when we can easily take them for granted.

[@skeeta1068]

I agree wholeheartedly. I saw the Wiz when I was 10. Stephanie was awesome.

[@quietrain4eva]

omg my aunts took my cousin,sister and me to see this when we were young!!

[@Samiyo]

Wow, thank you so much for posting!!