Steve Lawrence, Stage Performer Of Steve & Eydie Fame, Dead At 88
Steve Lawrence, the legendary nightclub and Vegas singer and half of the Steve & Eydie team, has died at age 88. NPR and other news outlets reported Lawrence passed away on March 7, 2024, from complications related to Alzheimer's disease.
Lawrence was best known for pop hits of the 1950s and '60s, among them "Go Away, Little Girl," "Party Doll," "Pretty Blue Eyes," and "Portrait of My Love." He was also a popular guest on variety shows and as a character actor in movies such as "The Blues Brothers," in which he played a manager who arranged the venue for Jake and Elwood Blues's big fundraising concert. But it was with Eydie Gormé, his beloved wife of 55 years, that Lawrence gained his greatest fame. The two performed to adoring crowds in Las Vegas, Carnegie Hall, and countless other venues over the course of their careers.
Apart from Steve & Eydie, Lawrence was a star of his own
Steve Lawrence and his wife, Eydie Gormé, known as "Steve & Eydie" in the music world, were a prominent duo in the 1950s. As rock 'n' roll emerged with the likes of Elvis Presley, Lawrence and Gormé had an opportunity to delve into the genre, but they didn't want to change up their sound too much, as Lawrence noted in a 1989 interview (via NPR).
Apart from their joint success, Lawrence had a thriving solo career. He began his musical journey at just 15 years old, appearing on NBC's "The Steve Allen Show," which subsequently transformed into the iconic "The Tonight Show." It was on this platform that Lawrence crossed paths with Gormé. The two married in Las Vegas in 1957, marking the start of their journey together.
In the beginning of his mainstream success, Lawrence was a television star for the most part. He had his own show, "The Steve Lawrence Show," as well as one with Gormé, titled "The Steve Lawrence-Eydie Gorme Show." He also appeared in a number of TV series, including "Frasier," "Murder, She Wrote," "The Nanny," and others. Reflecting on his father's legacy, Lawrence's son shared in a statement, "My dad was an inspiration to so many people. But, to me, he was just this charming, handsome, hysterically funny guy who sang a lot." Gormé passed away in 2013.