Before Johnny Carson there was ...
The
Jack Paar Show.
It
was 1961 and my husband and children and I were living in NY City.
Television
was coming in to it’s own by then and we loved to watch his
show
after the evening news. I
can remember so clearly a night when I was watching alone and my
husband was in the next room doing paperwork. As I recall Jack Paar
was not hosting that night and there were no big name guests listed
to be interviewed.
Then
the temporary host introduced the next guest, a singer with the
strange name of Barbra Streisand. (I was sure that a cast member was
responsible for the misspelling !)
It
was her TV debut and he
said
she would be singing 'her
interpretation of the old Tin Pan Alley standard Happy Days Are Here
Again”. This
seemed
odd to me. I
couldn’t see how her
choice could possibly help her break
in to the “big time”. Then Barbra walked on stage, the lights
dimmed and the orchestra played very softly in the background as she
started to sing.
I
couldn’t believe what I was hearing. She sang this normally upbeat
song very, very slowly and each note was pure as a bell. I called to
my husband and we listened, entranced, as she continued to sing and
ended on a single note that seemed to go on forever. There was dead
silence in the room and then the audience exploded … as did we,
the two of us sitting alone in our apartment and clapping to beat the
band.
I have never experienced another pop singer who impressed me as much as Barbra did that night. I was not at all surprised to read that her debut album “The Barbra Streisand Album”, released early in 1963 and including her rendition of “Happy Days” was voted Album of the Year and won three Grammy Awards.
posted by Goldendaze-Ginnie at 4:00 PM
8 Comments:
You’ve managed to dredge up another very fine memory. I don’t know how you do it. But keep it up.
Great memory Ginnie! She is one of the most gifted singers!
She really was and is a one in a lifetime special talent.
I too was a fan of the Jack Paar Show and saw that performance on his show. I have been a lifelong fan of Ms. Streisand's. Exquisite voice and style of singing that elicits all sorts of feelings from my soul. In addition to Ms. Streisand's singing talent, she truly has always had a terrific sense of humor. Thanks for bringing back memories. drew39 @ Word Press
Well, another one of your great memories, Ginnie. But one I missed. I was in the Middle East then- no TV... come to think of it, no TV for another 15 years!
But I did hear Barbra sing during my time back in the states- and have loved her ever since. So, once again, you made me look up something- it WAS an interesting approach to that song - and I prefer it!
Thanks!
I enjoyed seeing the Paar Show occasionally. Even though the station where I worked was the affiliate, I couldn’t always stay up late to view as had to be up for our live morning talk show with audience. I didn’t see that show but liked Streisand when saw her later though my husband was less enthusiastic.
I loved Parr also though my parents were not all that happy their teenage son wanted to stay up that late on a school night...:)
I don't recall ever watching jack Parr when his show was on, but have seen episodes on You Tube and they sure don't so shows like they used to, sadly. I really enjoy Ms. Streisand's singing and also have liked several of her movies, especially Funny Girl!
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