Vive La Streisand!

And for sheer vocal power, none other than Whitney Houston. Hated the syrupy sweetness of most of her hits, but loved the range, color, and power of her voice.

Wish she'd have a career again and get better songs.

NCbear

Cher definitely belongs on the list. Limited singing ability, yeah . . . but she is the only woman to have number one hits in four different decades. That's a noteworthy achievement. And she can definitely act. I can respect Cher.

A serious oversight. Of course she belongs. All that make-up and her partnership with Jm J. Bullock . . . she's practically an honorary drag queen.

Another member of the sisterhood: Patti LaBelle. Don't you think? She even refers to her beaded gowns and pumps as her "drag".

Yes Patti LaBelle is the bomb.

Met her when I was in college and working in Hyannis (she was performing at the Melody Tent) and she was staying at the hotel. She'd gotten something in her eye ("from using all that damned cheap Maybeline shit!") and I sat with her while the ambulance came to take her to the emergency room at the Cape Cod Hospital.

Next day there was a thank you note from her which I still have "to that handsome waiter in the dining room who was so kind to me"

She's the real thing that woman.

I would have added Donna Summer to the list but she gets banished for gay bashing that ungrateful beyotch.

Met Jackie O too several times does she count?

NIC, maybe it's the GOWNS that some of these gals wear... I dunno.

None of the above-mentioned "gay icons" do much for me. Yes, I appreciate Babs' talent, but I personally do not own a single one of her recordings.

My partner "collects" several of the "gay divas." Most of them, their music (voice, band, music choice) drives me out to work in the yard. Madonna markets herself well. Cher isn't much of a musician, but she was an entertainer. To my ear, Whitney and most especially Mariah sound like banshees. Judy Garland had a wonderful voice and talent early on, but her "jazzier" stuff was awful, especially when she was trying to "belt it out." (I saw a biography of her, though, and it was poignant...)

I still say the best voice I've heard in years is k. d. lang. She can't pull off being a diva, though.

[quote=NineInchCock_160IQ;617657]I mean, how is it about overcoming adversity?

Perhaps like trying to sing, could that her challenge? Certainly listening to her for more than a minute would be a greater triumph over adversity.

In my completely uneducated view, she is a straight woman earning a living as a drag queen, and not a very good one at that.

In fact I'd suggest there are probably a dozen drag queens who sing better, look better, and have more musical talent. Not that I would know much about that either.

John Simon suggested that "She looks like a cross between an aardvark and an albino rat surmounted by a platinum-coated horse bun".

But Village Voice summed her up with the description of "A Star is Born":

Watching and listening to bubba streisand is extremely excruciating. I've never heard anyone with such a poor voice and equally poor stage presence. Her icon status amongst gay men totally amazes me. How anyone could be attracted to such schlock is simply incomprehensible. this is all coming from a very open, very happy gay male.

I honestly don't understand why there's such a need for gay icons. Sure, I enjoy some of the singers you've mentioned, Edith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich both have great voices. However, why do gay men feel the need to slobber all over the feet of female singers and actresses? I've just never understood it. Yeah, back in the day, it was great to dance to some of the music of the others you've mentioned, but it's just dance music, for gawd's sake!!!

Anyone who thinks Marilyn Monroe was remotely sexy needs a lobotomy. She was little more than a statue created by Hollywood designers. At least Edith Piaf was her own woman.

'bubba' ?

While I'd not insult your taste personally I understand from what you write you don't like her singing. That's fine.

But kindly respect that fact that I do as I've outlined here please.

Perhaps you just generally have no real appreciation for quality female voices truth be told. Or do you actually like an entertainer's female singing voice but refrained from mentioning same?

In your overt attempt at undoing this thread premise to make it into a "fags who like Streisand" versus those 'very happy gay' ones who don't I'd respectfully ask you whose voice you do like?

And again. Please understand that my intent in opening this particular thread was to make a lighthearted topic about something some of us have in common.

I saw no really good reason to assasinate her talent as you just have chico. You profess to be a 'happy gay man' ... your post sounded angry and agenda-filled.

I like Dolly well enough but she seems "dragish" to me.

And as for her singing voice? I find it lightweight and without any real power. She does however have an endearing quality to her person that makes up for what I consider a decided lack in singing ability.

'for gawd's sake!!!'

Chill. It's just something some of us are passionate about. You seem almost embarassed by it.

'schlock' is a good thing. I love overt seductive and manipulative sentiment and slobber willingly at the beauty of real talent and raw talent.

Do you think this phenomenon defines us all somehow?

Look chico- I won't instruct your taste and you won't instruct mine.

Seems like a plan.

My second post states that I do like Edith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich, Ute Lemper also has a beautiful voice. Perhaps I just dislike the overly sentimental and schlockish quality of American singers.

I have no agenda nor anger, just a long standing question why so many gay men feel the need to idolize certain females.

The idolization of certain female singers/actors is not universal amongst gay men as you seem to think it is. Is it not allowed to disagree with your assertion that:

It seems to me that your assertion is one of a minority of gay men, or perhaps a majority of gay men whose lives are centered around Hollywood, Broadway or music in general. I have absolutely no issue with people who devote their lives to the arts but I do have an issue with people who attempt to paint all gay men with the same brush.

Piaf and Dietrich were stylists. Piaf was superb for me. Dietrich was a trend-setter but a bit campy for me in her masculinity.

To me it's apples and oranges.. and again a matter of taste. I like them both too each in her way.

And (as you'll note in my post to NineInchCock - who never bothered to respond to my lenghty explanation ) I've explained that phenomenon to you.

I never suggested it was. But you appear to fear it will be perceived as such somehow making you guilty by association?

Disagree to your heart's content. I'd just ask you to allow me my (as initially referenced) 'my guilty pleasure'. K? But I think to scathingly disallow some gay men their divas is a bit telling on your part.

What's up with that?


I don't know since I've never taken a poll. Additionally I can assure you my life's not 'centered around Hollywood or Broadway' - but I'll ASSURE you much of it is centered around music... mostly classical.

Where did I do that exactly?

I like Dolly well enough but she seems "dragish" to me.

You made me laugh! What a great way to wake up! I was expecting a spanking. I suspect you may be right!


And as for her singing voice? I find it lightweight and without any real power. She does however have an endearing quality to her person that makes up for what I consider a decided lack in singing ability.

Yes perhaps, I feel is a great musician (composer/ entertainer etc etc).

I know very little about any of this really.

Perhaps we can conclude that people are passionate about their music.

Well that, and that personal taste is just that.

Gladly oblige with that spanking hyp.. but no need.

I agree with your last two sentences 100%

Much better than Gladys Knight's version ...
Her cover versions of Gordon Lightfoot's "If I Could Read Your Mind" are on a par with Janis Joplin's and better than Lightfoot's own recording
. Her recording of Laura Nyro's "Stoney End" is very superb !

Don't know her politics, but I think I heard that she is a highly erotic and sexed woman. Always been a fan of Ms. Streisand, she is definitely beautiful, but not in the Barbie sense of course.