BETTE MIDLER: De Tour to Stardom
De Devine Story de Bette Midler
Joi Dubin

Special thanks to Ronni Jensen for sharing this article 


She comes on stage in outlandish costumes; she seduces her audience with her singing and tacky routines; she teases them with her vulgar jokes and trashy quips; she's been compared to Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland and Janis Joplin - she is Bette Midler and she is loved.

But success wasn't all that easy for Bette: she began her life in 1945 in Honolulu with two sisters and one brother. Being the only white, Jewish family in the community also added to her alienation and she turned to performing as her escape. After a short stint at college, she quit to chase her theatrical rainbow and after working at a myriad of odd jobs, including a stint in a pineapple-packing factory, she landed her first professional part in the 1965 movie Hawaii. After that she moved on to New York and landed the role of Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof. Her first television break was a small spot on the David Frost show after a talent coordinator spotted her act in a small New York club.

Five more television appearances didn't make that much difference in speeding up the success of Miss Midler and she decided to pursue acting and singing lessons. In 1970, Bette heard that the Continental Baths needed a singer for weekend nights. She auditioned and soon became a "name" within the New York gay community. Her style quickly attracted more than just customers of the bath houses and they were forced to open their doors to both men and women. From this she received offers from record companies, night clubs and television. With several appearances on the Tonight Show under her belt, Bette Midler was on the road to fame.

In 1972, her first album, The Divine Miss M, a name she's affectionately known by, was released and her unique style was established. Her first big hit, "The Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy," originally made famous by the Andrew Sisters, hit the top of the charts faster than her earlier single, "Do You Want To Dance." In any case, Bette Midler soon became a household name.

Success continued. Another album, simply titled, Bette Midler, was released, she debuted a one woman show at the Palace Theatre and won three major awards in one year: "The After Dark Award" for Performer of the Year; a "Grammy Award" for The Divine Miss M and a "Tony Award" for her show at the Palace.

Even with these accomplishments, the Divine Miss M had a long way to go. During the next few years, she began to alter her rapid climb on the ladder of success and approach the idea of seeking a wider spread acceptance. She needed the nationwide acceptance and only a major television show could provide the coverage. Her first prime time special, OI' Red Hair is Back, was just the vehicle and lead to the starring role in a movie. (Just a note: Miss Midler's television show won an "Emmy Award"). Armed with this exposure she took on the lead in The Rose with co-star Alan Bates and Frederic Forrest. Bette portrays a Janis Joplin-type personality which ultimately lead her to win a "Golden Globe" Award for her performance. The soundtrack was also a blockbuster but the piece de resistance came when Miss M was nominated for the Grand Slam in awards, an "Emmy," a "Grammy," an "Oscar" and a "Tony," missing out only in the Oscar.

It is important to mention that Bette Midler's role in The Rose was not her first movie. An early film, The Divine Miss J was made early in her career and she had only a five minute scene. Promoters used Miss Midler's singing in the short scene and used it to advertise the film, abusing the famous person early in their career formula.

Divine Madness, her next movie endeavor also won critical acclaim but her follow-up film was just that; Jinxed. In fact it brought Bette some very negative press, citing that she was impossible to work with by her director and male co-star. Rumor had it that she took the criticism poorly and suffered a nervous breakdown.

Although most people think of Bette as a crazy, "off-the-wall" performer, there is also a sensitive side to her. Part of her reaches out to be accepted and could be seen as "one of us." When Bette Midler says she has seen hell, maybe we should believe her; her sister Judith met with a fatal traffic accident, her mother recently passed away and her beloved brother Danny was born mentally retarded. Her love for her brother runs deep and she considers herself "unique" and "different" from everyone just by being his sister.

After recuperating after the blow from Jinxed, Bette picked up the pieces and went back on tour with the aptly titled "De Tour 1983" and what a tour it was - the end of the summer brought her to Jones Beach Theatre for two sold-out shows. Her stage presence is still electrifying; she cavorts on stage with outrageous outfits, sings her wild songs and sits and talks with her audience. No one is left out of her attack, from the Secretary of the Interior to the Royal Family, with tones ranging from risqué to truly blue.

As is par for the course, her show at Jones Beach was a spectacular event and by the looks of it, no one will ever say "Bette, who?" again.