Steve Lawrence: Legendary Singer and Entertainer
Steve Lawrence, who passed away on March 7, 2024 at the age of 88, was one of the most versatile and successful singers and entertainers of his generation.
Along with his wife and partner Eydie Gormé, he performed on television, in nightclubs, in concerts, and on Broadway, delighting audiences with his smooth voice, charming personality, and impeccable taste in music.
Early Life and Career
Steve Lawrence was born Sidney Liebowitz on July 8, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in a musical family, exposed to the industry at an early age. By the time he was three, Steve was already singing and imitating the likes of Al Jolson and Eddie Cantor. By the time he was 11, he was performing as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic.
He attended Thomas Jefferson High School, where he sang in the choir and participated in musicals. He also earned some money after school singing for songwriters in the Brill Building, a famous hub of pop music production.
When he was 18 years old, he was hired by Steve Allen to be one of the singers on Allen’s local New York City late night show on WNBC-TV in 1953, along with Eydie Gormé and Andy Williams. When the show got picked up by NBC to be seen on the national network, becoming The Tonight Show, Lawrence, Gormé and Williams stayed on until the program’s end in 1957.
It was on The Tonight Show that Steve met Eydie, who would become his wife and musical partner for over five decades. They married in 1957 and had two sons, David and Michael.
Solo and Duo Success
In the late 1950s, Lawrence was drafted into the U.S. Army and served as the official vocal soloist with the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, D.C..
After his discharge, he resumed his solo career and scored several hits on the charts, such as “Go Away Little Girl” (U.S. No. 1), “Pretty Blue Eyes” (U.S. No. 9), “Footsteps” (U.S. No. 7), “Portrait of My Love” (U.S. No. 9), and “Party Doll” (U.S. No. 5). “Go Away Little Girl” sold over one million copies and was awarded a Gold record.
He also teamed up with Eydie to form one of the most popular nightclub and concert duos of their generation, billed as “Steve and Eydie”. They performed songs from the Great American Songbook by composers such as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, and others. They won a Grammy Award in 1960 for their album We Got Us.
They also appeared frequently on television shows such as The Carol Burnett Show, The Judy Garland Show, The Julie Andrews Hour, The Flip Wilson Show, and their own summer replacement series on NBC, The Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé Show .
They also starred in several musicals on Broadway, such as Golden Rainbow (1968), What Makes Sammy Run? (1964), and The Kingfisher (1978).
Later Years and Legacy
Lawrence continued to perform as a solo artist and with Eydie until her retirement in 2009 due to health issues. She died in 2013 at the age of 84.
Lawrence also pursued an acting career, appearing in guest roles on television shows such as Night Gallery, Police Story, Murder, She Wrote, CSI , and Gilmore Girls . He also played Maury Sline, the manager and friend of the main characters in The Blues Brothers (1980) and its sequel Blues Brothers 2000 (1998).
In 2019, Lawrence announced that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He died from complications due to the disease on March 7, 2024 at his home in Los Angeles .
Lawrence was widely regarded as one of the finest singers of his era, with a rich baritone voice that could handle any genre or style. He was also admired for his professionalism, humor, and generosity.
He received many honors and awards throughout his career, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame , an Emmy Award , a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame , and induction into the Las Vegas Hall of Fame .
He is survived by his two sons, David and Michael; his daughter-in-law, Audrey; and his three grandchildren, Sam, Alex, and Ryan.
Fun and Interesting Facts About Steve Lawrence
- Lawrence was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees and often sang the national anthem at their games.
- Lawrence was a close friend of Frank Sinatra and recorded several tribute albums to him, such as Steve Lawrence Sings Sinatra (1998) and Steve Lawrence Sings of Love and Sad Young Men (2007).
- Lawrence was an avid golfer and participated in many celebrity tournaments, such as the Bob Hope Classic and the Bing Crosby Pro-Am.