Melissa Manchester (1971-1973)

Melissa Manchester is one of the founding members of the Harlettes. She has said that she helped Barry Manilow put together the first cast of what would become an infamous group and in doing so, was able to satisfy her own dream to sing at Carnegie Hall.

In this interview with the Windy City Times, Melissa Manchester describes her first meeting with Bette Midler

"Barry and I had known each other because we sang commercials--we were studio singers. He was Bette's music director and on their night off they came to see me. She had made her first appearance on the Carson show by then. I finished my set and I went over to say hello and he introduced me to Bette. I knew she was getting ready for her first Carnegie Hall concert and I asked if she was going to have any background singers. She took a beat and said, 'I don't know, would you like to sing in back of me?' and I said, 'Well, actually I'd like to sing instead of you [ Laughs ] but I'll be happy to sing in back of you.' So Barry and I organized what was originally called The Red Light District and then we were called M.G.M. because those were our initials and then we were called The Harlettes and I was the toots in the middle"

Since leaving the Harlettes, Melissa has had a very successful career as a singer/ songwriter and actress. She’s acted in Movies ("For the Boys"), Soap Operas ("Search for Tomorrow" and "General Hospital), and TV ("Fame" and "Blossom") as well as on stage in "HATS!", "Sweeney Todd" and Andrew Lloyd’s "Song and Dance" & "Music of the Night."

Some of her most famous hits include "Don’t Cry Out Loud", "Midnight Blue", "Through the Eyes of Love (Theme song from Ice Castles)", "Whenever I Call You Friend", and "You Should Hear How She Talks About You".

Things to Note:


Grammy Award for "You Should Hear How She Talks About You" -1983

Governor's award from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences in recognition of her many contributions to the music & recording arts

CONNECTIONS:

-Melissa was up for awards for and performed "Through the Eyes of Love" and "Promises" on the 1979 Academy Awards show, the award for song went to "And So it Goes" from the movie "Norma Rae", this would be the same "Norma Rae" that received the best actress statue instead of it going to that amazing actress who starred in the Rose (of course I mean Bette) at that same awards ceremony.

-The actress in the title role of Blossom was Mayim Bailuk who played the young "CC Bloom" in the movie Beaches. Melissa Manchester played the role of "Maddy Russo" on the show

-Melissa toured (along with the rest of the original Harlettes) with Barry Manilow in 1974, who happened to have been Ms M’s first musical director

Divine Tours: Carnegie Hall (1972), Philharmonic Hall (New Years 1972/73)
Divine CDs: The Divine Miss M; For The Boys; Experience the Divine
Divine Appearances: For The Boys
Where to find her now:
Website(s): http://melissamanchester.com