Singer/Actress Eydie Gormé 1929-2013 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 08-10-2013, 07:18 PM

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Concert and recording superstar Eydie Gormé, who – performing everything from ballads to bossa nova with singing partner and husband Steve Lawrence – made an indelible impression on American audiences during the swingin' '60s, died Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas, her spokesman, Howard Bragman, tells PEOPLE. She was 84.

"Legendary singer and performer Eydie Gorme passed away peacefully today at Sunrise Hospital following a brief illness," Bragman said in a statement. "She was surrounded by her husband, son and other loved ones at the time of her death."

In his own statement, Steve Lawrence said: "Eydie has been my partner on stage and in life for more than 55 years. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her and even more the first time I heard her sing."

He added: "While my personal loss is unimaginable, the world has lost one of the greatest pop vocalists of all time."

A favorite on The Ed Sullivan Show, in showrooms in the Catskills and in Las Vegas – where they married on Dec. 29, 1957, and later took up permanent residence – as well as on stages, including Carnegie Hall, Steve and Eydie, as they were known, sang popular hits of the day, including Broadway standards, and exchanged pointed personal banter – all of which their audiences ate up.

A Gift for Languages and for Singing

Born in the Bronx to a tailor originally from Sicily and a mother from Turkey, Gormé was a Sephardic Jew whose real name was Edith Garmezano. Spanish was spoken in the home, while at William Howard Taft High School she became the Taft Swing Band's lead female vocalist.

Her gift for languages helped land her a job as a translator at the United Nations shortly after high-school graduation, and her mellifluous voice soon got her an audition with Tex Beneke's Big Band. A year's tour followed, as did a contract with Coral Records.

She met Lawrence, a cantor's son (his original surname was Leibowitz), in September 1953 on Steve Allen's Tonight show. Booked for two weeks as the program's vocalist, she ended up staying five years. Lawrence was also a regular on the show, and the two were often paired in musical numbers and comic sketches.

Once married, in 1958 they had their own summer TV show, which was canceled after the one season because Lawrence was drafted into the Army. Gormé then performed in nightclubs around Washington, D.C., where he was stationed, and after his discharge in 1960, the "Steve and Eydie" act was born, as was their legend.

So accustomed were the two to appearing together, that when Lawrence did a show by himself in 2009 – Gormé had retired and took up blogging on her and her husband's website – he told Newsday that it was strange. "It's also about the first time in 50 years I'll be able to finish a sentence without being interrupted."

Not that they didn't have successes on their own. In 1962, Lawrence had his great hit, "Go Away Little Girl." A year later, Gormé scored on the Billboard charts with "Blame It on the Bossa Nova." The bouncy number made her an international star, and she became a Latin crossover artist when she began singing in Spanish the following year.

Gormé and Lawrence had two sons: David, and composer, and Michael, who died in 1986, at age 23, from an undiagnosed heart condition. Steve and David Lawrence survive her, as do generations of fans.

A Son Who Predeceased Her

Gormé and Lawrence had two sons: David, and composer, and Michael, who died in 1986, at 23, from an undiagnosed heart condition. Steve and David Lawrence survive her, as does a granddaughter and generations of fans. "Services are pending and will be private," said Bragman.

"A prolific 93 albums, 12 Emmys, 2 Grammys and innumerable national tours later, they're still singing together," The New York Times reported in 2004, when the two headliners performed to an appreciative crowd in Westbury, Long Island.

The newspaper added: "At the end of a show that lasted nearly three hours, Ms. Gormé's sign-off, 'God bless us all,' prompted a standing ovation."

Vahan · 08-10-2013, 07:41 PM

Not mentioned here, but I believe she was related to fellow singer Neil Sedaka in some way.

Zoneboy · 08-10-2013, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vahan

Not mentioned here, but I believe she was related to fellow singer Neil Sedaka in some way.

1st cousins according to IMDb.

80sTrivia · 08-10-2013, 10:24 PM

So sad to hear of Edyie's passing... it's hard to imagine Steve without Edyie. She will definitely be missed...

Penny Lane · 08-11-2013, 07:03 AM

I love Steve and Eydie! So sad to hear of her death.

catlover79 · 08-11-2013, 07:58 PM

Such sad news - but what an incredible life she had, especially with Steve. It's hard to imagine having the one you love be your life partner as well as your creative/professional partner. God rest Edyie and bless Steve and the rest of her family.

Marvo301 · 08-11-2013, 08:06 PM

Eydie Gorme

OH Nuts! · 08-15-2013, 12:15 AM

Sorry to hear of Eydie's passing. Her and Steve were one of the greatest show business loves. She'll be sorely missed on many levels.
(I haven't been the boards too much due to work so sorry for late-ish response)

Janice · 08-15-2013, 02:52 PM

So very sad. I remember they were a staple on Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas and Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. They played well off each other. They were one of Hollywood's love stories. Rest In Peace, Eydie Gorme, and God bless Steve and their family.

Family Ties Forever! · 08-24-2013, 04:01 AM

RIP

Mr. Television · 08-27-2013, 07:51 PM

R.I.P. Eydie. A wonderful singer.

08-10-2013, 07:18 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349	Singer/Actress Eydie Gormé 1929-2013 Link Concert and recording superstar Eydie Gormé, who – performing everything from ballads to bossa nova with singing partner and husband Steve Lawrence – made an indelible impression on American audiences during the swingin' '60s, died Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas, her spokesman, Howard Bragman, tells PEOPLE. She was 84. "Legendary singer and performer Eydie Gorme passed away peacefully today at Sunrise Hospital following a brief illness," Bragman said in a statement. "She was surrounded by her husband, son and other loved ones at the time of her death." In his own statement, Steve Lawrence said: "Eydie has been my partner on stage and in life for more than 55 years. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her and even more the first time I heard her sing." He added: "While my personal loss is unimaginable, the world has lost one of the greatest pop vocalists of all time." A favorite on The Ed Sullivan Show, in showrooms in the Catskills and in Las Vegas – where they married on Dec. 29, 1957, and later took up permanent residence – as well as on stages, including Carnegie Hall, Steve and Eydie, as they were known, sang popular hits of the day, including Broadway standards, and exchanged pointed personal banter – all of which their audiences ate up. A Gift for Languages and for Singing Born in the Bronx to a tailor originally from Sicily and a mother from Turkey, Gormé was a Sephardic Jew whose real name was Edith Garmezano. Spanish was spoken in the home, while at William Howard Taft High School she became the Taft Swing Band's lead female vocalist. Her gift for languages helped land her a job as a translator at the United Nations shortly after high-school graduation, and her mellifluous voice soon got her an audition with Tex Beneke's Big Band. A year's tour followed, as did a contract with Coral Records. She met Lawrence, a cantor's son (his original surname was Leibowitz), in September 1953 on Steve Allen's Tonight show. Booked for two weeks as the program's vocalist, she ended up staying five years. Lawrence was also a regular on the show, and the two were often paired in musical numbers and comic sketches. Once married, in 1958 they had their own summer TV show, which was canceled after the one season because Lawrence was drafted into the Army. Gormé then performed in nightclubs around Washington, D.C., where he was stationed, and after his discharge in 1960, the "Steve and Eydie" act was born, as was their legend. So accustomed were the two to appearing together, that when Lawrence did a show by himself in 2009 – Gormé had retired and took up blogging on her and her husband's website – he told Newsday that it was strange. "It's also about the first time in 50 years I'll be able to finish a sentence without being interrupted." Not that they didn't have successes on their own. In 1962, Lawrence had his great hit, "Go Away Little Girl." A year later, Gormé scored on the Billboard charts with "Blame It on the Bossa Nova." The bouncy number made her an international star, and she became a Latin crossover artist when she began singing in Spanish the following year. Gormé and Lawrence had two sons: David, and composer, and Michael, who died in 1986, at age 23, from an undiagnosed heart condition. Steve and David Lawrence survive her, as do generations of fans. A Son Who Predeceased Her Gormé and Lawrence had two sons: David, and composer, and Michael, who died in 1986, at 23, from an undiagnosed heart condition. Steve and David Lawrence survive her, as does a granddaughter and generations of fans. "Services are pending and will be private," said Bragman. "A prolific 93 albums, 12 Emmys, 2 Grammys and innumerable national tours later, they're still singing together," The New York Times reported in 2004, when the two headliners performed to an appreciative crowd in Westbury, Long Island. The newspaper added: "At the end of a show that lasted nearly three hours, Ms. Gormé's sign-off, 'God bless us all,' prompted a standing ovation."
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08-10-2013, 10:24 PM	#4
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	So sad to hear of Edyie's passing... it's hard to imagine Steve without Edyie. She will definitely be missed...
	__________________ Perfect Gift Books for Pop Culture Fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book The Bouquet Residence: A Keeping Up Appearances Trivia Book Cooking With the Golden Girls: Fun & Delicious Recipes from a Hilarious Miami Kitchen Love in the Afternoon: The Ultimate Soap Opera Trivia Book The Last Great Decade: The Ultimate 90s Trivia Book Betty White: A Celebration

08-11-2013, 07:03 AM	#5
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,048	I love Steve and Eydie! So sad to hear of her death. Attached Images
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08-11-2013, 07:58 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Such sad news - but what an incredible life she had, especially with Steve. It's hard to imagine having the one you love be your life partner as well as your creative/professional partner. God rest Edyie and bless Steve and the rest of her family.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

08-11-2013, 08:06 PM	#7
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Eydie Gorme
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08-10-2013, 07:41 PM	#2
Vahan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2008 Posts: 2,712	Not mentioned here, but I believe she was related to fellow singer Neil Sedaka in some way.

08-15-2013, 12:15 AM	#8
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Sorry to hear of Eydie's passing. Her and Steve were one of the greatest show business loves. She'll be sorely missed on many levels. (I haven't been the boards too much due to work so sorry for late-ish response)

08-15-2013, 02:52 PM	#9
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	So very sad. I remember they were a staple on Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas and Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. They played well off each other. They were one of Hollywood's love stories. Rest In Peace, Eydie Gorme, and God bless Steve and their family.

08-24-2013, 04:01 AM	#10
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	RIP
	__________________ Jenny

08-27-2013, 07:51 PM	#11
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	R.I.P. Eydie. A wonderful singer.
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