Bette Midler: The Divine Showtune and Pop Superstar

Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian whose dynamic career spans over five decades. Hailing from Honolulu, Hawaii, she has sold over 30 million records worldwide, earning her four Grammy Awards, four Golden Globes, and three Emmy Awards.

Early career

Born in 1945, Midler moved to New York City in the mid-1960s to pursue acting. Her musical career began on stage, most notably with a starring role in the original Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof in the late 1960s.

She soon developed her own act, performing at the Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in Manhattan, where she cultivated her flamboyant stage persona, "The Divine Miss M," with pianist Barry Manilow as her musical director.

Breakthrough

Her 1972 debut album, The Divine Miss M on Atlantic Records, catapulted her to stardom. The album reached the Top 10 on the Billboard 200, eventually going double platinum and winning her the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

This success was fueled by her electrifying live performances and a unique blend of nostalgic pop, Broadway showtunes, and comedic sensibility that resonated with a wide audience.

Key tracks

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy — This Andrews Sisters cover from her debut album became her signature song, earning a Grammy nomination and defining her retro-inspired sound.

The Rose — The title ballad from her 1979 film earned Midler a Grammy for Record of the Year and became a number-one adult contemporary hit, showcasing her powerful vocal emotiveness.

Wind Beneath My Wings — This 1988 ballad from the film Beaches became her first number-one pop single on the Billboard Hot 100 and won Grammy Awards for Record and Song of the Year.

From a Distance — Her 1990 adult contemporary smash spent several weeks at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and won her another Grammy, cementing her status as a hitmaker in that decade.

Do You Want to Dance — This rock and roll cover was her first Top 40 pop single, introducing her vibrant style to mainstream radio audiences.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Midler balanced a successful film career with consistent music releases. Her 1990 compilation, Some People's Lives, was a major commercial success, driven by Wind Beneath My Wings, and was certified triple platinum.

She later returned to her Broadway roots with the 2017 stage adaptation of the film Hello, Dolly!, winning a Tony Award for her leading performance. Her collaborations range from working with Barry Manilow early on to recording duets with artists like Mick Jagger and Ray Charles.

Fans of Bette Midler's theatrical pop and vocal prowess might also enjoy the work of Barbra Streisand. Both are powerhouse vocalists who conquered Broadway, film, and the pop charts. Barry Manilow, her early musical director, shares her flair for melodic, dramatic pop arrangements. The campy stage presence and genre-blending of Cher offer a similar brand of entertainment spectacle. Listeners may also appreciate the vocal storytelling of Linda Ronstadt, another versatile singer who mastered multiple styles.

Bette Midler's extensive catalog of pop anthems and ballads receives regular airplay on adult contemporary, classic hits, and soft rock FM stations. Her timeless showtunes and holiday music also feature prominently on specialty and easy listening radio streams.

You can discover the vast musical legacy of Bette Midler by tuning into the radio stations featured on our website. Listen to her iconic hits and deep cuts on the variety of online radio stations available at onairium.com.