Legendary Jazz singer and actress Lena Horne died Sunday. The first black performer to be signed to a long-term contract by a major Hollywood studio, Horne died late Sunday, May 9. She was 92. According to the New York Times, her death at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center was announced by her son-in-law, Kevin Buckley. Horne is perhaps best known for musicals in the 1940s, including “Thousands Cheer,” “Broadway Rhythm,” “Two Girls and a Sailor,” “Ziegfeld Follies” and “Words and Music,’ in addition to a role in “Panama Hattie” in 1942. She also directed two all-black movie musicals, both made in 1943. Horne is survived by her daughter, Gail Lumet Buckley, the Times said. Her husband died in 1971 and her son died of kidney failure the same year. – She will be missed but her contributions will never be forgotten.
Lena Horne, an icon in both the jazz and film worlds, has passed away at age 92. Her remarkable life was marked by contributions to entertainment, civil rights activism, and a passion for creating art that resonated with audiences worldwide. From her early days as a songstress on Broadway to later roles in Hollywood films and television shows, Lena Horne’s career spanned nearly seven decades.
Horne’s career began during the 1930s when she moved to Harlem from Brooklyn; it was here that she found success as a nightclub singer. She soon became one of the highest-paid African American performers at the time. With her stunning looks and captivating voice, she quickly achieved fame throughout America and beyond. But despite her success, Horne encountered racism everywhere—from hotels that refused to accept black guests to movie studios who casted her in segregated roles.
Her determination and talent eventually led her to become one of cinema’s most beloved stars. As an actress, singer, dancer, activist and humanitarian, Lena Horne touched many lives through her music and advocacy work over the years. In this article we will explore how Lena Horne changed history while becoming a legend in her own right.
Life And Career Of Lena Horne
Lena Horne was an icon in the music and entertainment world, who made her mark as a jazz singer and actress. She had a long career spanning over seven decades, beginning with appearing at Broadway revues to becoming one of Hollywood’s first African American stars.
Horne began singing professionally while still a teenager in the early 1930s. She eventually caught the attention of prominent bandleader Noble Sissle. He offered her a spot in his show which led to appearances on Broadway, including in Lew Leslie’s “Blackbirds” revue where she wowed audiences with her performance of “Stormy Weather.” As her fame grew, producers started casting her for roles in musical films throughout the 1940s such as Cabin In The Sky (1943). Despite being praised by critics, most moviegoers were not allowed to see these movies due to segregation laws.
In spite of this discrimination, Horne forged ahead and continued working hard during the 1950s when she signed onto MGM Records and released several hit singles like “Love Me or Leave me” and “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man.’ Alongside performing live concerts around America, she also starred alongside legends like Nat King Cole in St Louis Blues (1958) and Frank Sinatra in Porgy & Bess (1959). These performances earned her critical acclaim but didn’t lead to greater stardom within Hollywood because of racism once again limiting opportunities available to African Americans.
Despite facing adversity from people trying to limit what she could do based on race, Horne never stopped pushing boundaries and continuing making history until her death at 92 years old. Her legacy continues today through fans remembering her impactful voice that pushed against injustice whenever possible.
Legacy Of Lena Horne
Lena Horne left an indelible mark on the entertainment world that will never be forgotten. Her voice, talent, and determination to succeed in spite of racism and discrimination impacted generations of people who could look up to her as a symbol of strength and resilience.
Horne’s influence is far-reaching and can still be seen today through tributes from modern entertainers like Beyonce who gave a nod to Lena with her iconic performance at Coachella in 2018. Numerous awards have also been bestowed upon her posthumously such as honorary degrees, lifetime achievement awards, and induction into various music halls of fame. Beyond this recognitions, she has inspired countless young performers to pursue their dreams no matter what obstacles stand in their way.
Not only was Horne groundbreaking for African American women but for all women everywhere who faced sexism throughout history. She showed them that they could achieve greatness too if they put their minds and hearts into it just as she did over the course of her long career. By doing so, she demonstrated how powerful one individual can be when facing injustice head-on with courage and perseverance – something we should all remember now more than ever before.
Conclusion
I. Summary of Lena Horne’s life and career:
Lena Horne was an iconic jazz singer, actress, civil rights activist and dancer who achieved fame during the 1940s. She had a prolific career that spanned over 70 years, in which she starred in films such as Stormy Weather, Cabin in the Sky and The Wiz. Her early recordings included hits like “Stormy Weather,” “Love Me or Leave Me” and “The Lady Is A Tramp.” Throughout her career, she also championed social justice causes and spoke out against racism.
II. Legacy of Lena Horne:
Horne left behind a powerful legacy of music, film acting, activism and more. She was one of the first African American entertainers to become a mainstream star – smashing through barriers by appearing on stage with white performers during a time when segregation still existed in many states across America. As an artist, she forged her own unique path that inspired generations of singers — from Aretha Franklin to Beyoncé — to come after her. Additionally, she served as an important figurehead for civil rights activists throughout her life; something which has been remembered fondly since her passing in 2010 at age 92.
III Conclusion:
It is clear that Lena Horne’s impact will never be forgotten. I am deeply saddened by this great loss – but grateful for all that we learned from her timeless artistry and inspiring activism while she was alive on Earth. We owe it to ourselves to carry forward the torch lit by Ms. Horne so long ago; no matter how challenging our current times may seem right now, we can always look back at how far we have come thanks to people like Lena Horne who fought bravely for change until their last breath. May they forever rest peacefully knowing they made this world better than it ever could have been without them here today.
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