Barbara McNair Tribute

Here is a great song perfectly performed by the supersinger Barbara Mcnair, recently deceased.
Popular African-American vocalist and entertainer Barbara McNair (1934 - 2007) dazzled audiences with her singing prowess and exceptional beauty for well over four decades. So stunning was Barbara that in 1969 she was voted among The World's Ten Most Beautiful Women by the International Association of Cosmetologists. Born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Racine, Wisconsin, McNair studied music at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. Her big break came with a win on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, which led to bookings at The Purple Onion and the Cocoanut Grove. She soon became one of the country's most popular headliners and a guest on such television variety shows as The Steve Allen Show, Hullabaloo, The Bell Telephone Hour, The Hollywood Palace, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Dean Martin Show and The Tonight Show, while recording for the Coral, Signature, and Motown labels. McNair's acting career began on television, guesting on series such as "Dr. Kildare", "I Spy", "Mission: Impossible", "Hogan's Heroes" and "McMillan and Wife". She caught the attention in the crime drama "If He Hollers Let Him Go" (1968), then donned a nun's habit for "Change of Habit" (1969), Elvis Presley's last feature film. She portrayed Sidney Poitier's wife in "They Call Me MISTER Tibbs!" (1970) and its sequel, "The Organization" (1971). McNair's Broadway credits include "The Body Beautiful" (1958), "No Strings" (1962) (replacing original star Diahann Carroll), and a revival of "The Pajama Game" (1973). McNair starred in her own 1969 television variety series, but it lasted only one season, despite the wattage provided by A-list guests like Tony Bennett and Sonny and Cher. She toured frequently with Nat 'King' Cole in the 1960's. She made two LPs of standards and other soul-oriented LPs. Barbara worked her way up from typist to singer of small supper clubs to headlining large showrooms as one of America's more visible black singers of the late 1950's and 1960's. A jazz stylist influenced by the great Sarah Vaughan at first (and June Christy and Peggy Lee as well), she gently eased into popular music. She was gifted with a powerful and beautiful voice, in the great traditions of big-voiced singers.
Enjoy Barbara's beauty and voice!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Barbara
• McNair

[bronson1921]

Great Tribute to a Truly Beautiful LADY !

Thank you so much for posting this.

[WolfflowSyx]

A gorgeous, tragically underrated singer. Up there with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, in my opinion.

[gemc8]

I think of her often - her beauty, her voice, her talent. She was a huge talent! I wished I had seen her in concert. She is very missed.

[orangedave7]

thanks for posting mate ,barbara was one of my all time women singers, ktf.

[jazztradition]

GOD DAMN!!! WHAT A STUNNINGLY, DELICIOUS WOMAN SHE WAS!!! She would've been licked all over if I knew her when.  Oh...talented too! Powerful voice!

[torresongs2]

It's interesting that she was often cast as the ex-girlfriend returning to make a man's wife jealous. She definitely was beautiful enough to pull it off. I had the pleasure of working with her and knowing her socially towards the end of her life. She was always gracious, kind, and lots of fun to be around. She is missed.

[stillphil]

sick horn arrangement, she sounds fantastic on this recording.

[twinia1]

I remember her from a Jeffersons episode where she played George's ex-girlfriend

[sexorcismo]

Man this is sad...I did'nt even know she passed away already...She was gorgeous and one of the best singers I"ve ever heard in my life...

[creolelady182]

Great tribute to a beautiful great singer. Thank you