Harlettes

History

Bette Midler’s stage act grew out of her early 1970s performances at the Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in Manhattan which offered entertainment on the weekends. Due to her powerful singing voice, her outrageous costumes and her biting wit, Midler's performances became a favourite of the bathhouse crowd.

Inspired in part by the Theatre of the Ridiculous, Midler’s stage show evolved into a bawdy and flamboyant mixture of stand-up comedy, Vaudeville and burlesque. It was during this time that Midler cultivated her stage persona, “The Divine Miss M”. "The more outrageous I was, the more they liked it," says Midler. "It loosened me up."

With the assistance of long-time collaborator and friend Barry Manilow—who also happened to work as a pianist at the Continental Baths—Midler found herself a trio of backup singers, which included pop singer Melissa Manchester. Originally they were called The Red Light District, then M.G.M. (because of the initials of the original members, Melissa, Gail and Merle), but eventually they settled on The Harlettes.

With the support of her sultry Harlettes and the choreography of Toni Basil, Midler’s performances became known for their exhausting singing and dance routines. In a 1973 review of one of her shows, Rolling Stone writer Ed McCormack stated: “Watching Bette and the girls work out, the raw awkward sexual energy of it all makes you think of Tina Turner.” During a single performance Midler and her Harlettes sing everything from wartime radio tunes such as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", Depression-era jazz songs such as "Big Noise From Winnetka", "I Only Have Eyes for You", and "Lullaby of Broadway", and early girl group pop songs such as "Leader of the Pack", "Chapel of Love", and "Da Doo Ron Ron", all while changing in and out of costumes as varied as pink waitress uniforms, sequined gowns and mermaid tails.

Former Harlette Linda Hart was quoted in 2008 as saying that working as a Harlette was "like show business boot camp" and that she learned much from the experience. Midler was also quoted in 2007 as referring to her relationship to her Harlettes in this way: “We have a great relationship. They adore me and I pay them.”

Special appearances

Formerly of the Harlettes

Members

Group members are shown in chronological order by date of first appearance.