Bette Midler

BETTE MIDLER
 
 
Bette Midler  (born December 1, 1945) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, comedian, and film producer.  In a career spanning almost half a century, Midler has won three Grammy Awards, four Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards, and a special Tony Award.  She has sold over 35 million records worldwide and along with that has also received four Gold, three Platinum and three Multiplatinum albums by RIAA.  She has released 13 studio albums as a solo artist.  Throughout her career, many of her songs became hits on the record charts, including her renditions of “The Rose”, “Wind Beneath My Wings”, “Do You Want to Dance”, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”, and “From a Distance”.  Midler made her motion picture debut in 1979 with The Rose, which earned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress.  In the following years she starred in a string of hit films that includes Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Outrageous Fortune, Beaches, The First Wives Club, and The Stepford Wives, as well as For the Boys and Gypsy, the latter two of which she won two additional Golden Globes.  (More from Wikipedia)
 
 

A torrent of girl groups followed, among them Martha and the Vandellasthe Supremes, the Marvelettesthe Shirellesthe Ronettes, and the Orlons.  Bette Midler’s revival of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” in 1973 reminded rock audiences of the Andrews Sisters, who had had the original hit with “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” during World War II.  More recently, the Spice GirlsTLC and Destiny’s Child (whence came Beyoncé) continued the tradition. 

 

(October 2013)

 

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Linda Ronstadt isn’t the only woman to cover a song by the Rolling StonesBette Midler recorded “Beast of Burden” in 1984 – her music video for the song includes a cameo by Mick Jagger playing a somewhat exaggerated version of himself (if that’s possible). 

 

(May 2015)

 

Last edited: March 22, 2021