Lena Horne established herself as one of the premiere nightclub performers of the post-war era. She headlined at clubs and hotels throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe, including the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, the Cocoanut Grove in Los Angeles, and the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. In 1957, a live album entitled, Lena Horne at the Waldorf-Astoria, became the biggest selling record by a female artist in the history of the RCA-Victor label. In 1958, Horne was nominated for a Tony Award for "Best Actress in a Musical" (for her part in the "Calypso" musical Jamaica).
From the late 1950s through the 1960s, Horne was a staple of TV variety shows, appearing multiple times on Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Dean Martin Show, and The Bell Telephone Hour. Other programs she appeared on included The Judy Garland Show, The Hollywood Palace, and The Andy Williams Show. Besides two television specials for the BBC (later syndicated in the U.S.), Horne starred in her own U.S. television special in 1969, Monsanto Night Presents Lena Horne. During this decade, the artist Pete Hawley painted her portrait for RCA Victor, capturing the mood of her performance style.
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A new generation of artists took to Twitter to mourn the loss of Lena Horne, who died Sunday at age 92. The singer, actress and civil-rights activist left her mark on the world of jazz with her rendition of "Stormy Weather."
"Wow! Lena Horne! What an incredible woman & story of triumph!"Alicia Keys tweeted.
"May we all know that life is a journey of possibility as long as we hang on ..."
Diddy also remembered the late music icon on Twitter, writing,
"RIP to the QUEEN LENA HORNE!!!!! We thank you for all the doors that you have opened! We love you! WE MISS YOU!"
Monica chimed in:
"RIP to the amazingly talented Lena Horne. U have truly left your mark on the world. U influenced many with your style and grace."
"Dancing With the Stars" contestant Chad Ochocinco wrote,
"Just been informed we've lost another great one in the beautiful LENA HORNE, favorite movie with her is STORMY WEATHER #sad."
While young music fans might not be completely familiar with Horne, newer stars like Kelly Rowland paid their respects to the woman who helped pave the way for minority artists in the entertainment industry.
"Sending prayers, and Love to The family of the Beautiful, Legendary Lena Horne," Rowland wrote. "She will be missed!!!!"
"She was an icon,"Queen Latifah told ESPN.
"I always remembered her as Glinda the Good Witch in 'The Wiz.' She always had this amazing beauty, talent and warmth. Maybe it was her accent?"
Horne died on May 9, 2010, at the New York–Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. She is survived by her daughter, Gail Lumet Buckley, granddaughters Jenny and Amy Lumet, Lena Jones, and grandsons, William and Thomas Jones. The circumstances of her death were withheld.
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