Video#TBT: The Time Ethel Merman Sang Call Me Madam With The SupremesThe Broadway belter joined the chart-topping singing group for a tribute to Irving Berlin.
By
Andrew Gans
February 07, 2019
In October 1950, Broadway legend Ethel Merman returned to the New York stage in the Irving Berlin musical Call Me Madam.
Playing Mrs. Sally Adams, Merman had the chance to sing such Berlin tunes as “The Hostess With the Mostes' on the Ball,” “Can You Use Any Money Today?,” “Marrying for Love,” “The Best Thing for You (Would Be Me),” and the duet “You're Just in Love.”
Years later, Merman joined Diana Ross and the Supremes for a televised medley of Irving Berlin tunes on The Ed Sullivan Show. The chart-topping, record-breaking singing group—featuring Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Cindy Birdsong—offered “It's a Lovely Day Today,” “I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” “Heatwave,” “What'll I Do,” and more before a duet with Merman on Call Me Madam’s “You're Just in Love.” Watch the performance above. (Merman makes her appearance at the 3:18 mark.)
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Look Back at Irving Berlin and Ethel Merman in Rehearsals for Annie Get Your Gun
Look Back at Irving Berlin and Ethel Merman in Rehearsals for Annie Get Your Gun
The Broadway revival opened September 21, 1966 at the Broadway Theatre.
Next year, Carnegie Hall's house band will perform Bernstein’s “Kaddish” Symphony, unfinished works by Schubert, and the final concert of Conductor Bernard Labadie.
