Lena Horne – the lady and her music

Having now appeared in a number of films, the glamorous entertainer with her trademark black shiny curls piled high, diamond earrings, sparkling fish-tale gowns and million-dollar smile, soon became the highest paid Africa American entertainer in America thanks to a seven-year deal with MGM (the first deal signed by an African American woman since 1915). Her film highlights at this time included Panama Hattie (1942) Harlem On Parade (1942) and As Thousands Cheer (1943). And then the rain came! The starlet’s most famous film was Stormy Weather in 1943, her first real acting role.

Lena would often take non-speaking parts, vehemently refusing, understandably, to accept roles, which were disrespectful to her as a black woman. ‘I never felt like I really belonged to Hollywood,’ she recalled (in the documentary, That’s Entertainment III). ‘At that time, they didn’t know what to do with me, a black performer. So, I usually just came on, sang a song, and made a quick exit.’

Though Lena’s sultry singing success continued right through into the Fifties, sadly she continued to be racially discriminated against, suing restaurants and theatres in the late Forties, when she joined forces with African American actor Paul Robeson in a political group opposing racism – Progressive Citizens of America. In fact, during the Second World War, she even used her own money to travel and entertain the troops.

Her hard work continued in the American Civil Rights Movement, where she made several TV appearances, including her own defining special, Lena in Concert in 1969. In the early Seventies, a legend paired up with another when Lena toured the US and UK with Tony Bennett. Although she suffered personal tragedies at this time – the loss of her second husband, father and son – her dedication to her career and talent was unfailing.

This was signified by her greatest triumph to date – her very own Broadway show – Lena Horne: The Lady And Her Music, which won a Tony award (as well as two Grammy awards for the soundtrack). So successful, it’s said to have set the standard for one-woman shows.

Though she inevitably cut back on performances in the Nineties, (when she released her album We’ll Be Together Again) and no longer did public appearances, her longevity speaks for itself. While other stars faded, Lena’s beauty, inside and out is timeless; her striking looks, for decades, surviving any strain.

Lena Horn died in May 2010.

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Tags: celebrity, Lena Horn

Category: 1940s, 1950s, 1970s, 1990s, Vintage news, Vintage Style Icons