Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Where is Lena?


Oprah recently honored a weekend of legends. Where was Lena Horne? I know that she is now in her 80's, but I wonder how she's doing?

Update 5/11/10:  Lena Horne passed away at the age of 92 on Sunday, May 9, 2010. Now, everyone is honoring her life. 

Photo source:  freewebs.com

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lena was an honoree, but she was unable to attend.

Shaggy said...

OK Steve, I will confess, I do not know Lena, kindly forgive me. Give it to Oprah to pull that one off like only she can. Did you see the Sunday at the Garden when they passed on the mic and sang their hearts out? True legends and made me proud. Was happy to see Coretta too. Hope our young talents can match or get close to someday. And could someone tell Halle to stop crying & hush!!

But then again, how are you my friend. Busy I guess.

Be well, playa. You know where to find me.

NML/Natalie said...

Shame on me, I have a vague idea of who this woman is...

Lori Stewart Weidert said...

I saw Lena Horne back in the early 80s in St. Louis, and she was fantastic. I'll always remember her changing costumes on stage, (behind a screen) while she continued to sing. She never missed a beat as she tossed the old costume over the screen. A very vibrant entertainer. She was warming up for Neil Sedaka, who had the personality of a baked potato.

Stephen A. Bess said...

bj-
What's up bro! Yeah, just look Lena up online and her name will light up the screen. Her famous movie was Stormy Weather. It's a classic.

nml-
Rent Stormy Weather. She was also on a few Sanford & Son episodes. Redd Foxx loved her. He called her the "Horne." :)

gnightgirl-
That's an interesting story. :)That's bad when someone compares your personality to a baked potatoe. Then again, I could go for a loaded baked potatoe right now.

Anonymous said...

Good question. Seems like she remembered just about everyone else. I hope she was invited but was unable to make it. A snub altogether would be unacceptable.

Anonymous said...

I celebrate Oprah's kindness and keen sense of unity. Lena could not make it :( Ms Winfrey left no stone unturned on this one, I mean she had everyone there!! It gave me a great sense of pride to see all those living legends!!!!

Lena is my absolute favorite. I am trying to talk about her without making you guess my age!!! I listened to Lena back in the 80's too, watched her movies as well. She has a very keen sense of fashion. An original!! That's my final input :)
Thanx for the post.

Stephen A. Bess said...

amn.eris-
Thanks for that info! I didn't catch that when I was watching

camille-
We could never snub the "Horne!"

tryphina-
How old are you? :)

Dance_Soul said...

Katherine Dunham, who was also in stormy weather, didn't attend either. I know that Ms. Dunham went, however, to Oprah's house for a private screening of the show maybe the other honorees (who couldn't make it) also attended that same showing.
Thanks for your prayers Stephen. :)

Stephen A. Bess said...

dance-
Oh, okay. I didn't know that. Thank you. You're welcome for the prayers. We all need those, huh. :)

Ananda said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Ananda said...

thanks stephen for posting lena's beautiful photo. hey i thought i had posted a message earlier, but i guess i logged off before following all of the instructions. anyway.... i love lena's spirit. she is a soulful committed diva always elegant and filled with an authentic grace we all the gift to express from within to the outside. enjoy the grooviness of your day... peace, ananda

Stephen A. Bess said...

ananda-
I was trying to capture Lena's essence when I chose to post that picture. She is a great woman. I haven't seen her on stage in so long. My heart is filled with joy when I see women like Lena Horne, Dorothy Height, and Sonian Sanchez. These are great women and it is an honor to be in there presence. Thanks for stopping in. I will enjoy the 'grooviness' of this day. You do the same. Thanks. :)

the prisoner's wife said...

wow @ people not knowing who Lena Horne is....nobody watched the Cosby Show? lol

but the ledgends ball was cool. i didn't see the whole thing. i saw the part when everyone was trying to out sing each other. it was nice to see all the black folks in their sunday best--big ol flowered hats. i haven't seen that in a minute. it seems like we are losing part of our cultural traditions. at church i see kids in jeans, women in pants, etc, etc...my mom would still pop me upside my head if i try to roll to church in a pants suit (no diss...i'm kinda jealous of those who get to wear them lol).

Uaridi said...

Yes, where is the girl? Isn't she absolutely beautiful? I love her voice, her humour and the way she carries herself.

Uaridi said...

PS please pick a rose from my "garden" for your love, and wish her a happy one from me

the prisoner's wife said...

oh oh oh...(slapping hand...)

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY to Mrs. Bess!!!

Bougie Black Boy said...

i can't believe these guys dont know Lena Horne!!! I guess Bess, you gotta do a Lena Horne tribute now. lol

Stephen A. Bess said...

p wife-
Yes, it does seem as if we are losing the culture that our parents and grandparents knew. The last place that you can find it is in the small southern towns. It's still there. Btw, I told my wife of your bday wishes. She sends her thanks.

uaridi-
I told my wife about your bday wishes! She blushed and she is so thankful!

bougie-
Some of the people that live in the UK and in Africa didn't know her. I think that it has to do with age as well. Their parents may know if they had access to American shows back in the day. You're right though...I may have to do something on our past divas. :)

Shaggy said...

Hi Steve, wishing you a great weekend.

I have a swahili post this week and I will try to interpret, its a short story about this dude who liked to bang other peoples wives in the neigbourhood, he was a real stud to be reckoned with. And one day while he was doing the do, this lady's husband shows up on the front door and rings the bell. Quickly she gets this other dude out thro the back door butt naked and he rans home. The wife opens the door and says Hi darling, what happened to you? ANd he says, can you believe those thugs, they stole all my stuff and my clothes. And she said, mmh those were really bad guys, they even made you wear a Condom....

So you can still comment, now you know the story be safe partner.

Anonymous said...

Whack!! upside the head!!!! Stephen you know better than that!!!
Never ask a woman how old she is!!Whaaackkk!!!!! backhand, upside the head!!!!!!!!!

Oooops!! was I loud??

Stephen A. Bess said...

tryphina! Take it easy! :) Ouch!

Black Men in Life Space: A Change for the Better

Photo Source: Showtime The late great Chicago soul singer, Sam Cooke sang and announced that "A Change is Gonna Come." On season f...