Stormy Weather: Remembering The Music Of Lena Horne

While Lena Horne deserves as many written tributes as her death will inspire, let’s take a moment to watch – and listen – to her amazing charisma in action:

In her Hollywood years, performing her signature hit, “Stormy Weather” in 1943.

Horne was a fixture of the TV circuit in the 1950s and 60s, bringing wit, poise and elegance to the evening airwaves. Here she sings “I’d do Anything” for a 1957 USO Christmas show. You can’t fake that kind of sex appeal!

Having attained “beloved legend” status, Horne made guest appearances on a number of shows of the 1970s and 80s; while her turns on Sanford and Son and The Cosby Show are famous, many of the younger generation may remember her lighthearted guest-spots on The Muppet Show or, as shown here, Sesame Street!

Horne perfomed well into her 80s. Here she is in 1998, reprising “Stormy Weather” on Rosie O’Donnell’s talk show.

Lena Horne – Stormy Weather (1943) [YouTube]
Sesame Street: Lena Horne and Muppets Sing The Alphabet [YouTube]
Lena Horne – “I’d Do Anything” [YouTube]
Lena Horne On Rosie O’Donnell 1998 – Part 1 [YouTube]