Eartha Kitt dies aged 82 (?)

[motobiker]

just announced... so I pulled my cd single of 'cha cha heels' and had a little jig about....

[Videoskooter]

Yes, it's been confirmed that Eartha Kitt passed away on Christmas day.

The lady with the roaring voice and the original catwoman is no longer with us.

R.I.P. and thank you for the Music.

[disco1999]

James Brown passed away on same date, 2 yrs ago, feels like it was last year.

thanks Miss Kitt for making great music

[nrgbeat]

Eartha Kitt passes away from colon cancer at age 81.

Eartha Kitt News on Yahoo! Music

[needlefingers]

Santa Baby




Santa Baby with video




Where Is My Man?




I Love Men

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

Sometimes you hear the news and think:
"Well... That's a shame. I'm sorry to hear that they're gone."

Sometimes it stops you dead in your tracks. And, in that moment, it feels like a piece of you is missing. I felt that way about Cowley, Sylvester, Jabara, Karen Young... and now, once again, for Eartha. Not because of any great, personal connection. But, for my living a lifetime surrounded by, and immersed in, show-business, she was always there.

My parents had her records and had seen her legendary performance in "Timbuktu".
(I knew who she was, when I discovered vinyl.)

Then, decades later, I'm playing her Disco records at 13 Buttons and Uncle Charlie's, in Miami.
("I Love Men" was my personal favorite.)

Then, in the mid-80's, I'm working with her for a weekend I'll never forget at The Seagull Hotel, in Miami Beach.
(She drove the staff crazy, and the audience wild! And why not? She was a Star!)

Then, in the mid-90's, at the Fontainebleau Hilton, I got to see her in her natural environment: Just Eartha on stage, with a 5 piece combo, an overstuffed, wing-backed love-seat and a bottle of champagne. Performing all those songs I'd listened to, on those 10" records, on my Mom's stereo, when I was a little kid. <sigh> "C'est Si Bon..."

I know there aren't too many around who remember Eartha, pre-"Where Is My Man", or even pre-Cat Woman. But let me tell you... she was a Star. A real one. Who lived a rather amazing life. And overcame obstacles that we could hardly imagine in our world, as it is today.

That she should leave us on Christmas, when her most infamous recording is on playlists (and being performed) all over the world is, in a way, befitting. After all, she was a Star!

But, I was caught off-guard... Knocked off-balance...
And a piece of what made me who I am... A true piece of show-business, is gone.

[discokicks]

Eartha Kitt had one of those dynamic personalities that just fascinates me....a unique soul that just couldn't be harnessed and shaped to fit normal society and out of that, a show biz career emerged. She came from the staid, moralistic era where a colourful personality like hers just couldn't go unnoticed. How thrilling to know that the essence of her natural way gave her a full life of fun, fame and some financial success as well.

Her dance hits came out around the same time that I started standing in a dj booth and putting records on turntables. That distinct voice of hers growling over the dancefloor helped to make those mid-80s nights so uniquely special and I know, personally, it added to the pleasure of seeking and finding new music to spin. My favourite hit from that dance era is for sure I Love Men but within that extensive catalogue of her music, in 1989, she left us with a bluesy, little ditty on the flip side of the Cha Cha Heels 12"...My Discarded Men...which has become a classic among classics for many of us.

Rest in peace Ms. Kitt...your presence here was outstanding!

[markydefad]

From The Huffington Post: Bruce Vilanch on Eartha Kitt:

Bruce Vilanch: Eartha Kitt: My Encounter with a Legend

[Videoskooter]

Since the song is so loved, another video for "I Love Men"

[discokicks]

From The Huffington Post: Bruce Vilanch on Eartha Kitt:

Bruce Vilanch: Eartha Kitt: My Encounter with a Legend

Thanks Marky...that was such a pleasure to read! Just think of how many times we've recited that juicy bit of dialogue in Where Is My Man. It's these songs by such unique personalities like the fiery Eartha Kitt that I feel truly help to make our lives a little more distinctive and intriguing.

[discokicks]

Absolutely one-of-a-kind...courageous...brilliant...



and a great recent remix and video...

I Want To Be Evil - Giant Jr. vs Eartha

[Chap2Power]

From The Huffington Post: Bruce Vilanch on Eartha Kitt:

Bruce Vilanch: Eartha Kitt: My Encounter with a Legend

Marky D, thank you so much for posting the link to the Bruce Vilanch article from the Huffington Post...wonderful stuff and hysterical to boot !

Vince