Steve Lawrence, the talented singer who achieved fame alongside his wife Eydie Gormé as a beloved duo in the Las Vegas nightclub scene, passed away at his residence on Thursday. He was 88 years old. Throughout his illustrious career, Lawrence garnered numerous accolades, including Grammy and Emmy awards, showcasing his charismatic presence on stage.
According to a family representative, complications from Alzheimer’s disease were the cause of death.
“My dad was a source of inspiration for countless individuals. However, to me, he was simply a charismatic, good-looking, and incredibly funny man who loved to sing,” expressed David Lawrence, in a statement to Variety. “Whether he was performing solo or alongside his exceptionally talented wife, I was fortunate to have him as my father, and I am immensely proud to call him my own. It is my sincere wish that his remarkable achievements in the entertainment industry will be cherished and celebrated for generations to come.”
In 2019, Lawrence made a public announcement about his Alzheimer’s diagnosis and took a step back from the public eye. This happened ten years after Gormé’s retirement. Sadly, Gormé passed away in 2013 at the age of 84 after a short and undisclosed illness. Upon her passing, Lawrence expressed his grief in a statement, recognizing her as one of the most exceptional pop vocalists in history.
Lawrence expressed that he and his partner had been companions both on and off the stage for over 55 years. He further added that he fell in love with her the moment he laid eyes on her and was captivated even more when he heard her sing for the first time.
Gormé had a similar sentiment, but she insisted that it was she who had fallen in love first. They met while singing on Steve Allen’s groundbreaking late-night show in the early 1950s. During a 2003 interview on “Larry King Live,” Gormé playfully teased Lawrence, saying, “What ‘we fell in love’? We did not—I fell in love.”
“King clarified that you were the one who fell in love first.”
She enthusiastically responded, affirming that they indeed started to be paired together on duets. As their bond grew stronger, she admitted, “I simply couldn’t help but fall deeply in love with him.”
As they toured the country, Steve and Eydie, known as the duo, sharpened their act in various cities such as Vegas, Miami, New York, and Chicago. They even had the opportunity to appear on television shows hosted by their friends, including Ed Sullivan, Danny Kaye, Carol Burnett, and Julie Andrews. Lawrence reminisced in a 1992 interview with The New York Times, “One of the most memorable shows we ever had was after a terrible argument. It was a make-or-break moment. The tension was so high that the orchestra was ready to call divorce lawyers. We couldn’t even remember what the argument was about. But despite our hostility, we stepped onto the stage and gave it our all.”
“We found that the more we engaged in heated exchanges on stage, the more the audience embraced our dynamic. Surprisingly, this intense back-and-forth actually served as a form of therapy for us. Once the show ended, we were able to quickly reconcile and move on.”
In 1957, the year they tied the knot, Lawrence and Gormé realized that “everything was changing,” as Lawrence later recounted in an interview. The rock ‘n’ roll wave had just hit the scene, with the likes of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and Ricky Nelson dominating the charts. However, the couple remained steadfast in their old-fashioned ways, adamantly resisting the urge to conform to the shifting trends.
“A lot of people our age,” Gormé, who was then 60, began explaining to the Times, only for Lawrence, 57, to interject, “You mean 90 years old.” Ignoring his comment, Gormé continued, “We try to make the switch and do rock. But if we came out in jeans and sneakers, it would look ridiculous. We’re stuck with who we are.”
They remained steadfast in their commitment, choosing to perform timeless Tin Pan Alley classics such as “We Got Us” (1960), “I Want to Stay Here” (1963), and “Real True Lovin'” (1969) to audiences who truly appreciated their talent. Their dedication paid off when they received an Emmy in 1979 for their NBC songbook special, “Steve & Eydie Celebrate Irving Berlin,” and when they successfully sold out an eight-night residency at Carnegie Hall in 1981.
A critic from The Times praised their performance, stating, “They exude confidence as they sing with powerful voices, showcasing the kind of stage presence that can only come from years of entertaining Las Vegas audiences.” The critic also commended their harmonious blend, describing it as a delightful warmth.
Both of them also achieved significant success in their solo careers. Lawrence had an impressive track record with almost thirty songs making it to the Billboard chart between 1952 and 1966. He even had five top-ten hits, including the popular song “Go Away Little Girl,” which reached No. 1 and sold a million copies in 1962. Lawrence’s talent extended beyond music, as he also made a name for himself on Broadway, earning a Tony nomination in 1964 for his role in the play “What Makes Sammy Run?” He also made notable appearances in Hollywood films, portraying a sleazy and smooth-talking booking agent in both “The Blues Brothers” and its 1998 sequel.
Lawrence and Gormé were blessed with two sons: David, a renowned composer famous for creating the score for “High School Musical,” and Michael, who tragically passed away at the age of 23 in 1986 due to unexpected cardiac issues. The heartbreaking loss of their son left the couple devastated, prompting them to take a break from performing for an entire year.
Their initial night upon returning, they conveyed to King, proved to be difficult. Lawrence reflected on the experience, stating, “We felt a great deal of apprehension and nervousness. However, once we took the stage, something remarkable happened. The audience, seemingly aware of the challenges we had faced, showered us with their support and made us feel absolutely wonderful.”
King asked him if David had been present.
Lawrence acknowledged that their son had been in their presence. He expressed the importance of moving forward in the face of adversity, stating, “You know, it’s… you go on. You go on as best you can. You hang on to those you love.”
