There are other great singers who have sung Stormy Weather written by Arlen & Koehler:  Billy Holiday, Ethel Waters (the first) and many contemporary torch singers.  However, it is a song completely associated with Lena Horne … she made it her own.  It is appropriate that a biography of this legendary star should be entitled "Stormy Weather".

And it appears from the article that Ms. Horne’s personal life also fits the description of the book title.  Certainly stormy.

Ms. Horne  has always been a classy lady and a great entertainer! … I had an opportunity to see her perform on broadway while on tour! She was incredible! … I remember Ms. Horne being physically stunning and beautifully dressed!

Historically, Ms. Horne was denied roles she was more than qualified to portray! … She was denied these roles based on her ethnicity and American racism! … Can you imagine being denied a role written for an actress of color only to have a white actress portray the role? … I remember Ava gardner darkening her skin with makeup to portray the role.

Can you imagine headling at a club and told you had to go around the back? .. She could not walk through the lobby of a hotel she was performing at! … Ms. Horne had every right to be stormy! … It’s always so easy for those who’ve never been discrimminated against to speak ignorantly of a position they’ve never experienced!

Ms. Horne was active in the Civil Rights and Human Rights Movements! … She always held her head high with dignity and self respect! … She refused to "Mammy It Up" for the benefit of white folks!

Mammies, servants, harlots and baffoons were the only roles Blacks were offered. …However, roles could not get in hollywood they were offered  in the famous Black films of the legendary Oscar Micheaux(Black Film maker.) … Many of his techniques and styles etc. were copied by hollywood.

Mammie, servant and baffoon  roles paved the way for stars of today! … These trained actors took this roles because they wanted t act and they had families to feed.  They preferred to pportray one of these roles for two thousand dollars a week than to work as a domestic for five dollars a week!

I look forward to reading this biography of one of the world’s truly great performers/artists "The Legendary Ms. Lena Horne."

“Buddhism teaches that anger is a destructive emotion and although some anger might have some positive effects in terms of survival or moral outrage, I do not accept that anger of any kind is a virtuous emotion nor aggression as constructive behavior.” So said the Dalai Lama.

The above are "luxurious words" and sentiments to address what Lena Horne and others faced during those times which I remember. Passivity, withdrawal from pain, and accepting one’s lot were not the way to survive.

I suspect that nowadays with Americans patting themselves on the back because they have a Black president makes them unable to understand or empathize with those who werel demeaned, unemployable, and less than human. I wouldn’t dare psychoanalyze Lena Horne or others whose rage and strength  helped them survive. 

I also remember the scandalous behavior of movie producers and those who controlled the media and destroyed Dorothy Dandrige’s career, but Lena Horne, ever the combatant, made her own way.

 Does one think that suffering and discrimination ennoble the victim? Give me a break!  I applaud her tenaciousness. 

I always loved and admired her.  She is a one of a kind. Thanks for the video.

Dear wonderful Liz:

You were instrumental in getting "The Lady and her Music" released on tape and CD.  Could you work your magic again and get a DVD of the concert released?  I remember watching that magnificent concert on television back in the ’80s.  I seem to think that it was on PBS.  Would you try and get us the video since you were successful in getting us the audio?  Please.  Thanks much Liz, you are missed here in Austin!