Lena Zavaroni Sings "Mama" on Tonight Show

[buggygirl2010]

i am so happy that there are videos of lena zavaroni on you tube.My mam used to play her all the time and we used to sing to her songs.When we watch her videos it bring a tear to our eyes.She is such an inspiration peole who havent heard of lena are missing out.PIP LENA AND GOD BLESSXX

[curly1966]

@GarryHarriman re; michael jackson it is due to drug misuse.Lena never took drugs or drank

[crmaiden]

she had a great voice said she passed so early had a lot of problems with anorexia nervosa if i remember correctly.

[ysgol3]

Do people still mix her up with Bonnie Langford ??

[eleanor7rigby]

wow,

just wow

[001Bigred]

I hate to find out that this lovely young lady has passed away. What a terrible loss for her family, and the world at large.

[jtking2504]

Such a sweet little girl and such a MASSIVE voice you just don't expect it, she's amazing, no one can come close to her talent. RIP angel.

[EvodiusTheophile]

Really? After the intense build up and all these praises in the comments area, this is it? I mean, she certainly has a lot of force but is this good singing? It's certainly not a good song, in fact, its unbearable. I hope to never listen to this song for as long as I live. She's definitely not fat though.

[usaerin]

May LZ rest in peace, but Connie Talbot is the greatest child talent from the British Isles, ever.

[w4pgb]

the world just wasn't ready for her. She was heads above any singer that ever came alone in the 20th century. My opinion, she was the 20th century

[philtheperv]

ive just bought her house in hoddesdon herts.never heard of her until today!! who wants some pictures?

[SIMPSONSLOL3]

she is incredible she is buried in front of my grandad such a loss :(

[Lisa13245]

AMAZING VOICE!!

I didn't find out about her until last night.

[darrowby1972]

Just like Karen Carpenter, such a tragic shame she couldnt eat as well as she sang!

[0GoDinA9]

i never knew who lena was until just recently.. but now i know what everybody is talking about. she had talent.

[djjohhnyjetson]

The problem with Lena was that she was very influenced by the media, she was thrown into the limelight at such a very young age, and she really thought she was fat, and she was such an amazing young girl/woman, such a loss to the music industry!!! You'll never find another talent anywhere near Lena's calibre!!

[Lisa13245]

I wouldn't consider her fat.

[rdt1970]

wow her name just poped into my head totally random....WTF search on youtube

[canihasusernamepls]

wow what a voice. cute outfit also!

[MrMudclub]

Bravo.

[help8help]

Her voice sounded like Broadway, like a singing talent that could boom across an entire theater.

Some people see beauty in talent like that with a beautiful person behind it.

Other poeple only see dollar signs.

If the people I counted on were just using me I would be depressed too.

[paisleycarol]

A wee lassie with a great big voice .The world is a much sadder place without you Lena.God Bless You

[Lisa13245]

Well put.

[lebbing64]

Such a loss....yess.

We`ve lost a great singer and beautiful too.

She was great, and still is...in our memories.

R.I.P Lena.

[swordfish1064]

Can anyone tell me when she performed her last live concert.

[93LINIGHAN]

Amazing. Never actually realised what a voice she had.

[tjcox1997]

She is amazing .. It is so sad that we lost an amazing singer due to the grip of anorexia R.I.P Lene Zavaroni

[gummygobbler1]

I loved her when I was a child - I still do xx

[nidgetucker]

just had to wipe a tear what a loss

[jadeamazon]

fantastic singer wow shes so young, wonderful

jade

[maxxxxd]

I remember seeing this on Jonny Carson and thinking this girl has a strong voice. I just happen to type it in and whammo there she is. Thank you for posting this. A classic from the days of the Tonight Show.

[1scootch]

rest in peace little lady yoru safe now and forgive the muppets who leave sad notes xxxxxxxxxxx respect to al others have a good day xxxxxxxx

[1scootch]

christ some have left horrible messages on here, have you no respect you muppets, this is a young girl who died and  didnt know just how many people really did love her, hey respect to you lena for your voice, thankyou for the music and may yourest in peace, rest little lady your safe now babes xxxxxx

[discovery781]

its amazing to hear such a talented young singer from the 70s... fast forward today

everyone is captivated by a puny voiced marginally talented singer called connie talbot....

[MrBillyBumbler]

I love the plinky plonk intro music, but you don't expect what follows, as soon as Lena starts singing, the whole experience turns into something amazing. Her vocal dynamic was just awesome.

[chutchybo]

i remember wanting a dress like that, was all the rage then!!..i look at the young girls now lill hannah montana wannabees with the short shorts etc... this was no different.. just crap clothes lol

[D33KN33]

She is so incredible! :) SHES AWESOME. Its ahsame she died in 1999. :(

[Scotsbell]

debbie, these dresses were all the rage in the early 70s. My sister is the same age as Lena and had dresses like that. They were worn for parties, visiting etc! They were designed to look like a skirt and blouse. By the way, there are several foul mouthed inbreeds on here, ignore them!

[Lucy7Browne]

Yeah I am 42 and lived in Glasgow as a child in the 70s and that dress would have been very fashionable, back then as was the 'half pony' hair styple with ribbon and white socks

[debbiejohnson1]

who put her in that skirt?

[SJA1949]

So sorry to hear Lena is gone...she sounds just FANTASTIC!!

[ShareeLewis]

Was this little girl from Scotland ?

[Lucy7Browne]

Yes she came from Rothesay in Scotland, sadly she died in 1999 having struggled with anorexia for many years, she had an amazing voice as an adult too

[ShareeLewis]

That's such a shame, she was so talented and pretty.

Why do people leave such nasty comments here ? It's so sad.

[TheSausageJockey]

A powerful singer for a wee lassie.

[firelilly08]

when i watch this i see a talented little girl who was torn away from her family to make it big and was given success and everything she could want but was depressed through it all. she had so much charisma and passion but was shown off to the world at a young young age. and she grew to be even more famous and amazing but was fighting deppression and anorexia. and sadly died pennieless because of money grabbers. its a shame. r.i.p babygirl

[veronicalove22]

when i hear her sing i get the chills she is one of the most amazing singer that i have ever heard....

[Amandamoo73]

Until i watched this i had never heard Lena Zavaroni sing and it brought tears to my eyes that just like Karen Carpenter,this girl with an amazing voice succumbed to anorexia that ultimately ended both lives at the age I am now.

Very sad.

[akifur1]

The talent this girl has is enormous, what a voice !!

[george85able]

she was special-----she did not seem to be big headed-- she was so natural. i was very sad to hear she had died

[xDaalleeeeX]

nvm i just read up on wiki, died from anorexia. that must suck i bet all the pressure was put on her to look her best from herself and from family and other influences in her life that caused her to develop the disorder. i completed a college course not long ago at college and we learnt about bullimic and anoerix people and the things they go through, its sick.

[xDaalleeeeX]

may i ask how she died?

[immortelle3]

whoever made her a star that early are to blame for how she ended!

[stilln68la]

i,like a previous commenter had a crush on lena.watching these vids again not only the fantastic voice,she was cute,charming and definately had the x factor.maybe if she had the help and guidance afforded to child stars these days she would not have developed her illness.unfortunately we´ll never know.RIP lena

[Naoisevl]

Tilly0910. In the part of Scotland I lived in, at that time10 year olds (yes..10 year old female 'children'!!) did dress like that., especially for 'ocassions' (like going on the telly or performing at a concert would have been) What were your lot wearing at 10? Hot pants and bra tops?? Seems like females in the spotlight are either accused as being 'manipulated' into dressing younger or older. You can't win. Chill out.

[bluehairspaz]

well its a cover of a song by an adult, its assumed that it transfers to being about a boy her own age.

[awesomegal67]

how did she die?

[1qimds]

awesomegal67, according to Wiki, she died of anorexia nervosa at age 35.

[laurac12321]

Woah

[s13deb]

Hi, I have been contacting radio stations, television stations etc.....I am getting on there nerves.....Trying very very hard....If everybody does it, who know's.

[komodoman]

How come none of her albums are available on CD...?

[XxMissLollipopGirlxX]

Wow....

[ctsupermom]

great singer. Love her voice. Sorry she's gone. But her voice will always be heard and remembered.

[toripil]

shes my favourite singer ever!! i cant beleive she is no longer with us anymore. :(

how did she die?

[robion1957]

lena died from an eating disorder. she used to walk her dog around our way - she was a very nice kid.

[meowfit]

How sad that someone this talented is no longer with us. Rest In Peace, Lena.

[dercarsus]

remember this song well... memories

[lingopresley]

MARIA!

[StarsInMyHands]

Hey, anyone know what happened to the "If It Wasn't For You, Dear" video and all those others that used to be up? =(

[NixonMcvicar]

Damn what a voice she had ! Haven't seen her sing since about 1974, when I was in love with her - I was about eight, she was on the BBC. Damn she really could sing though. I thought it wa the rose tinted memeory of a childhood infatuation Damn. Good post !

[Luvzi12]

AMAZING voice!

[morganmaranto]

LOVE LOVE THIS VIDEO and her voice.She was soooo talented!!

[Tilly0910]

Hope you put the truth then, dressing a 10yr old younger than Scottish children dressed, sending a child away from home to an agent who didn't even want a kid too look after, fear, depression, loneliness, if you portray the truth about Lena fair play to you, if you ignore those that made money out of her, her family etc that weren't there for her when she needed them - then way to go girl - if not . I will wait till the truth comes out one day - and it will - there is a term for it.

[Tilly0910]

I could never understand when I was a Scottish wee lassie watching this fantastic little girl, why at 10 year old she was wearing clothes like she is - none of us did, we didn't wear long white socks and smock tops at that time... loved her songs but why was she wearing what she was - co's the plonkers - and she came across many who controlled her life - wanted her to look younger - 10 year old's in Scotland didn't dress like that - from the beginning they manipulated, and ultimately destroyed.

[Babspace]

That may all be true, Tilly, but this is a great moment in her life and entertainment history, and for you to piss all over this 3 1/2 minute clip out of some personal moral outrage diminishes what she achieved.

You must be a very unhappy person...

[Tilly0910]

It may be a great moment for her at that time but she went on to suffer great pain, yes this was a great moment (no I'm not a sad person except when I see another suffering) she went on to spend years of feeling lots of pain for her reasons - her own pain was so bad she believed she had to have part of her brain cut out - and for frigs sake - though her body was so frail some doctor did it - she then contracted pneumonia and died - I cry at her pain, no I'm not sad - just sad for Lena's pain.

[mikeylorene]

Oh, you've changed the story, Tilly... now she didn't die alone in a council house?

Lena was a grown up adult and made her own choices. For goodness sakes, stop meddling in whose "fault" it was. It's distressing enough without your insistence on criminalizing what happened to Lena- why not go over to the Karen Carpenter boards and nail HER parents- and maybe her brother and agent?

[Tilly0910]

Lena one fantastic performer, Connie is a person in her own right as well - please don't slam a child. Oh and don't give me any more abusive comments - youtube is about people giving their views - not about targetting individuals and being abusive!!! I have my views you have yours - being targetted as you have me - is wrong - please don't target Connie now.

[czabodeborba]

Who is Connie?

[Zed1967]

They prolly mean Connie Talbot.

[mikeylorene]

Agree with you all the way. This self aggrandized vigilante woman is going overboard to lay the blame on SOMEBODY!

[craigowler]

Lena was a Scots lass - with what many are missing today - who brightened up Hughie Green's Opportunity Knocks.

At 10 years, Lena is still the youngest person to have an album in the top 10 and youngest person to appear on Top of the Pops.

[LaVerne37]

FANTASTIC!!! many THANKS for posting!!!

Wayne in Texas.

[alfie1438]

Great little voice in a different class to connie lena had power in her voice unlike connies silly annoying sound

[pulsatingdisco]

agreed, connie in my opinion has no talent

[Tilly0910]

I think if there was anyone who had a real say on Connie it would be Lena - a lovely singer, a lovely person - if she'd only believed it - I don't think Lena would have ever ever came on a site like this and said such horrible things about another child - respect where respect is due - Lena was fantastic was let down, used etc - lets hope little Connie - for all your thoughts on her abilities - does not get dragged the same way by people around her.

[alfie1438]

Connie wont be around long enough anyway as she is just a flash in the pan with the ahhh factor....one word Talentless

[Sharpmie2]

i'd like to see you do better in front of all those people and at 6.

[luckyjopot]

wow! so great performance! great singer on that time..i am so lucky to hear beautiful voice!

[shanondor]

1 thing different pal connie has not killed her self by anorexia oh by the way she was my neighbour so back off her

[poodles445]

She was amazing singer back in the 70's We where the same age. I listened to her record every day this was my favorite song. Sad to hear that she died.

[FayteKnightmare]

what a voice!

[Lavendergaljackie2]

I feel so emotional when I listern to poor Lena and what happened to her.

[escritor58]

Sorry to tell you that Dear Lena has died in 1999; at the age of 35.

A terrible lost to the artistic world.

[broadsa]

Never forgot this song. It´s really great.

[karldvelle]

As we say in the west of scotland,simply the best.She most certainly does live on.

[MrBooojangles]

This is the song I always remember her singing when I was young. Brilliant.

[rojeryeswithaj]

yes Johnny, thousand years worth of talent in just a ten years old girl

[Rachelsroom101]

I remember listening to my Lena Zavaroni album over and over singing to every song. I'm from America but my Mom is from Scotland which is how I found out about her back then (from family). I wanted to be a singer just like her. Listening to her sing again after all these years brings back such great memories. I was so sad when my aunt told me she had died. What a shame!

[MusikAlfen]

She's amazing...

[discoguy79]

imagine if she were to appear on a show like AGT, she would have blown away the competition

[BIGMUDDYDOG]

She's not too bad but she wouldn't make a pimple on Connie Talbot's butt.

[ralucagymnast]

I hope thats a joke. Connie will never be as good as Lena was. She hasnt got the natural power and variety of range.She is just a cute little girl and nothing more. Sorry.

[Cla900]

totally agree with you - i cannot stand connie talbot!! argh she's so annoying and vibrates her voice so much

[Raphtor13]

Connie is MUCH younger...compare her at 10 to this...not at 5 or 6.

[Tilly0910]

Lena was fantastic - if only she believed she was - never should have been handed over to an uncaring agent. Connie is both lovely and talented as well - we saw what happened to Lena - just don't let it happen to Connie - let her be a child - let her live and not think she has to have public glorificatin to mean anything - yes lovely singer - but if you make it that public acception is what she needs to be a human being then she will not survive - because the media is fickle.

[goldfinger111]

I always think of Benny Hill trying to lure the Bionic Baby away from his nanny- "Hey kid, wanna go to a party? Lena Zavaroni's gonna be there!"

[washheart]

I'm a brit who remembers Lena; I thought she was a gift then. I've just heard her voice again and I'm blown away. I drove across the Arizona desert to the Grand Canyon, when I stood at the edge, I realised that I'd used all my words on lesser things. That's the way I now feel about Lena Zavaroni. One day, the idiots in this country will stop pontificating on her pain and erect a statue to remind us that, we all turned our backs on this exceptionally talented and perfect creature.

[rojeryeswithaj]

my god what a wonderful, amazing voice

[13letsdance13]

She deserves a rating higher than five stars!!!

[13letsdance13]

she had a true gift...such a beautiful voice...

[KeLynn343]

She was born to sing,incredible voice =)

[mrnack]

holy shit, that's amazing!

[joannamichelle72]

I've got goose bumps...........

[ViolinCyndee]

I never get sick of watching Lena sing this song! What a huge voice for such a little girl!!!!

[stephykeilaus]

Hi fANTASTIC i AM TRYING TO FIND A COPY OF OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS FROM 1973 WHERE LENA WAS AWARDED WITH A DISC. CAN ANYONE HELP.

[Luluwasrudetome]

So cute and so tragic. God bless you Lena, wherever you are.

[txstoryteller]

What memories this brings! I remember hearing her, was amazed at the power of her voice!  So sad she died so young (35); it was a great loss! Wonderful vid; thanks for the nostalgia!

[LaurenMacP1994]

i was 8 when i went into a talent contest in my town "mega-stars!" and i won first place singing this ... infront of over 2000 people it was the best experiance of my life and im sure lenas truely missed

[Liproll]

The first "mamaaa" that comes out of her mouth... Greatness. Simple as that.

[crazymermaid]

i suffered from anorexia for 15 years.i was one of the lucky ones who beat it.god rest lena.a real  star

[alauriam]

heartbreaking she died - of anorexia - she was so talented but cursed by early success and some horrible demons. She certainly gave me and my sisters a lot to smile and sing about though.

[dAddAs1]

oh, she's a sweety!!

how did she die?

[LenaZavaroniFAN]

anorexia

[LenaZavaroniClips]

No, she didn't actually, I wish people would get it right!!! She had an operation for depression which caused her death as she got ill from the operation, it wasn't anorexia!!

[Janvierireland]

Surely the anorexia needed to be cured.Not eating DOES cause depression.

[s13deb]

Hi, Lena had a Leucotomy. This is an operation only carried out in extreme cases of depression. The operation involves inserting a probe into the brain to sever nerve pathways that control emotion. Lena died 3 weeks later of a chest infection and died from bronchial pneumonia. Yes your right, not eating can cause severe depression. Being in the public eyes probably didnt help either. She was one in a million. Never to be forgotten.

[Janvierireland]

at 3 and a half stone no one could survive any operation as you know

[Tilly0910]

She died in a council house alone - where was all the many who'd made money off her, where was the money, where was those who cared..... don't ever put it down to her - she wouldn't have been depressed, anorexic if she hadn't been in the life she was - no matter what anyone says those around her, or rather those that left her, had a part in her depression, anorexia and ultimately death - no respect and wish it would be looked into more.

[Samanthanewark]

God Bless Lena, she was the real deal what a set of pipes and what a performer she is really missed!!!!

[mikeylorene]

There always has to ONE in the bunch, doesn't there?

[bellasignora67]

i personally blame her parents for letting lena going to live with that cow solomon (agent) she was the one who killed lena hope you rot in hell SOLOMON YOU FAT OLD BICTH

[hesjane]

Once again, many thanks LenaZavaroniFAN for posting these fantastic clips of Lena. They are fantastic and much appreciated. I wish it was possible to buy her recordings on CD...if anyone knows if this is possible then please let me know.

[mumsbestboy]

what a voice,does anyone have any vids that they could post of Lena singing personality & schools out & does anyone know what age she was when she sang them?I could listen to Lena singing all day,especially when she was a child,she was amazing.

[barry6591]

I remember Lena winning 'Opportunity Knocks' with this song in the early seventies. After that, her success seemed rapid and she seemed to appear on so many television programmes, to include her own television series. She appeared quite a few times on 'Top Of The Pops', scoring hits with songs like 'Personality'. Her untimely death came as a great shock.

[stevechandler1]

did you like Schools Out the b side to personality

[Celeste7765]

I remember hearing Lena sing when I was just a child in the early 70s. My Dad brought her album home and we wore it out. Such a sad, tragic end for such an incredible talent.

[frinkmhey]

God damn!

[scottmcneil]

lena zavaroni was my cousin.

the reason she died of anarexia was .. when she was younger she had puppy fat and to be a singer her tutors told her she had to loose weight she evetually got addicted and lost too much :(

she lived in rothesay isle of bute , scotland ..

and it says on one of the films she died in 1999 , she actually died in 1998

rip lena , love your cousin georgia mcfadden

[mumsbestboy]

what an amazing voice & an amazing person,there has never been anyone who can sing like that,

[singersuegray]

Sorry we let you down Lena.... you were fantastic. I hope we all learn from your experience. You will always be fabulous to us and always would have been.

[kimmyrox1997]

GOOD VOCAL !100 * for u LENA!!!

[jklfds85]

One of my favorite songs by Lena

[love2lovedarling]

true such a loss, shame nice voice

[mka800]

Makes me think of Karen Carpenter, another phenomenal singer who got too close to Ana.

[d4jkm]

Very cute.

[haldenver]

Was it the contradiction between the voice and her age that created anorexia? Or the lyrics? Pushy Parents? Pressure? It was tragic. How lonely it must of been : who would be a child star? Joel Osment..let's see; Jimmy Osmond ; Anthony vann Norman,etc

[lilianmajbritt]

What a voice. It is so sad that she isn't with us more. Thank you so much for posting so many great songs with her. She was unusual talented.

[MAXTES]

I saw this little girl o stage in S.Africa where Ilive. She was awesome ! Such talent. Such a loss when she died at a young age.

[ViolinCyndee]

Ooooooo I am jealous! I wish I could have seen her. Yes, very sad what happened to her, too. :(

[lotr4ballerina]

i danced to this song when i was 6 and i still love it...this past recital my preschool class danced to it....this song is awesome!

[TNAWRESTLEUK]

great to see videos of lena i was a huge fan of lena and was in her fan club for many years it is so sad she died so young keep the videos coming once again thanks a huge fan

[lilster1234]

i hav 3 words...oh...my...gawsh!!!

[monahgrethe]

Powerhouse voice, what an attitude! Love her:) X factor all the way!

[stevechandler1]

It is so nice to know that there are other fans of lena,I remember seeing he on Opportunity Knocks which is where she started.I like the recrds he did when she was in her late teens and early twenties Do you Know Jump Down Jimmy this was released in euk about 1981,there are a few albums but no cds that is a real pitty

steve

[Osmondheaven]

I'm about 2 years older then Lena. I remember when Ma He's Making Eyes At Me came out. I too thought she was a woman. I'd never seen her on TV. Last year, I went to a used record store and saw her album. Even though I didn't know who she was, I purchased the record. She totally blew me away. I looked her up on the internet to see what she "looked like now". I was sad to see that she had passed. What a great talent. Gone way too soon.

[stevechandler1]

have you seen the 4 part documentary on youtube about her it is very interesting, so tragic a powerhouse voice lost.

[flowerchild1260]

Wow! I came on here the months ago and looked up Lena and only one video announcing her death came up. I came on here today and saw all of these. It's like Christmas all over again. THANK YOU!!

[Mich321atAOL]

Wow! You have brought back so many memories of my childhood with this clip! I loved Lena in 1974 and I was only 8 years old! Thanks so much for posting this!

[ayhabtheayrab]

Remember seeing her first tv appearance. For us older people it was the only talent show around - Opportunity Knocks, hosted by Hughie Green.

[skfanincan]

I remember seeing her on Johnny Carson and also on the Carol Burnett Show. She was such a wonderful singer and child. I hope things turn out better for today's child singers like Connie Talbot.

[sherribailey75]

wow. i wasn't expecting that. what a pro and a talent. it's as though...having that kind of talent, it must have been almost overwhelming. she must have felt like she was in constant competition with herself. sigh.....

[varietylover]

Wow...Lena always delivers...wonderful memories of Our Lena.

[PerisphereRec]

I haven't seen this since my parents let me stay up late to watch it, as a 10 year old myself, in 1974! (And I loved it then too!!)

And to think, this clip was posted on what would have been Lena's 44th birthday, 4th November 2007.

Thanks so much for posting this!

[25thNovember1970]

Great to see this rare treat in the public domain.

Thanks.