Judy at Carnegie Hall_S1_Ep1-Welcome + Introduction

Judy_S1_Ep1-Welcome+Introduction

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Hello and welcome to Judy at Carnegie Hall, everything you ever wanted to know about the greatest concert that ever was. I'm Grace Taylor Siegel, your host, and I'm thrilled to take you on this incredible journey through one of the most iconic performances in music history. Judy Garland's, legendary concert.

At Carnegie Hall on April 23rd, 1961. Now, if you're anything like me, you've probably felt a connection to Judy Garland at some point in your life. Maybe it was watching her as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, or hearing her sing Over the Rainbow in that movie for the first time for me, and. [00:01:00] I wanna make it very clear I am not the authority, as so many of you are on Judy and her work and her life.

I've forgotten so much of what I've learned over the years about her reading dozens of books from my teen years and throughout my life, but I can never, ever forget the way she made me feel. I am guessing it's the same for you two. And that's the real reason in my mind that she endures and will endure forever.

I first was introduced to Judy Garland when I was four or five years old. We had a family room, had a record player, just one of those kids, record players. We didn't even have a stereo yet, and I would sit on a tall stool [00:02:00] and I almost immediately had memorized all the songs on. Judy at Carnegie Hall, the album that my mom bought, and I would just sit there on that stool and belt my heart out along with Judy.

So I've known those songs for over 60 years now. And then of course, they started televising. The Wizard of Oz once a year. I think it was around Easter time, and that was such an event in our home. It was a little difficult for me as a little child to connect Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz with Judy Garland on the Judy Carnegie Hall album, but eventually I realized, oh, that's the same person, and [00:03:00] she's just grown up now and then of course.

The Judy Garland show came on tv. And to watch Judy at the height of her abilities every week singing those songs, kidding around and doing duets with those wonderful guests that she had on the show, it was amazing. And I think that those three things, although there are many other movies and performances that I've loved of Judy's, those three things just permeated my heart and soul, and that is why she is such an influence in my [00:04:00] life. That amazing talent of hers just continues to inspire me to this very day. I.

There will never be another Judy Garland. As we all know, beyond the bright lights and the red Ruby slippers, Judy's life was filled with challenges triumphs, and. Very difficult times. She had a resilience that truly defined her as an artist and as a human being. And today we're gonna dive into the years leading up to that unforgettable night at Carnegie Hall.

You know, to understand how monumental that night was. We have to rewind a bit and look at Judy Garland's career and life [00:05:00] before she even set foot on that stage. Tiny little Francis Gum or baby, as she was called by her parents and her sisters, shared her family's flare for song and dance. Her first appearance came at the age of two when she joined her elder sisters, Mary Jane, Suzanne and Dorothy Virginia.

Jimmy Gum on the stage of her father's movie theater during a Christmas show and sang a chorus of Jingle Bells. Judy was born for the stage, I should say Francis. That was her name Then. She was soon thrust into the spotlight as one of M GM's brightest talents by age 13. We all know her as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, but her career oh, was so much more than that one role by the [00:06:00] time she reached her teens.

Judy was already a household name. She had this remarkable ability to connect with audiences, a voice that could break your heart and lift your spirits all at once, that voice, but with that fame of being a star. Came an enormous amount of pressure and Hollywood took a toll on her. The studio used some unorthodox methods to have her working all the time.

She ended up struggling with addiction, battling mental health issues, and eventually faced financial troubles that followed her through the rest of her life. By the late fifties, Judy's film career had slowed down. The roles [00:07:00] weren't coming in like they had, and the studios that once nurtured her talent, so to speak, seemed to move on to the next big thing, the next rising star.

But Judy Garland. I wasn't one to fade quietly into the background. Now she reinvented herself in a way that only the greatest of artists can by taking her talent directly to the people through live performances. It's important to understand just how turbulent the late fifties were. For Judy. She had gone through failed marriages.

Her health was in a precarious state. Her finances were a mess. It seemed like everything was against her, but there was one thing Judy could always count on her connection with an [00:08:00] audience. I don't think she ever doubted that once. Not for one moment. She returned to the stage and what a return it was.

Judy began performing in concert halls and nightclubs, and the public response was overwhelming. People were reminded of what made her a star in the first place. That incredible voice, full of emotion and depth, capable of bringing tears to your eyes. Or making your heart burst with joy. By the time 61 rolled around, Judy had clawed her way back up to the top, proving to everyone, and most importantly to herself that she was still a world class entertainer.

And that's what brings us to Carnegie Hall. [00:09:00] Now, why was this? Concerts so significant for Judy, both personally and professionally? Well, it was more than just a performance. It was sort of a declaration. Judy was saying to the world, I'm still here. I'm still one of the greats. And that night she didn't just perform, she delivered one of the most electrifying concerts ever witnessed.

Carnegie Hall was and still is, one of the most prestigious venues in the world. It's the place where the greats perform. Where legends are made established all the way back in 1891. It is hosted everyone from Tchaikovsky to the Beatles to play at Carnegie Hall. It's not just another gig, it's rite of passage, a symbol that you've arrived as an [00:10:00] artist for Judy.

Stepping onto that stage was both a comeback and a crowning achievement. It was a culmination of everything she'd been through every battle, every setback, every triumph. The significance of that night was not lost on her, nor on the audience who filled every seat hanging on her. Every note that night, Judy Garland gave a performance.

For the ages, the energy in the hall was electric, and from the moment she walked out, the audience knew they were witnessing something extraordinary. Judy was at the height of her powers delivering each song with a raw emotion that few performers could ever match. The result was a two hour tour de force that [00:11:00] left the audience and the critics absolutely spell spellbound.

The concert was so successful that it was recorded, thank God, and released as a live album, simply titled Judy At Carnegie Hall. The album became a commercial success winning five Grammys, including album of the Year, making Judy Garland, the first woman ever to win that prestigious award. But beyond the accolades,

what made this concert so special was what it represented a woman who had been knocked down by life more times than she could count already standing tall and reminding the world of her unparalleled talent. As we go deeper into [00:12:00] this podcast series, we're gonna explore every aspect of that night from the song she sang to the people who were there, and even the cultural impact that still resonates today.

We'll talk about the challenges Judy faced in her life leading up to that night in more depth and how she overcame them to deliver what many consider to be. The greatest performance at the greatest concert in history.

So, next time on episode two of Judy at Carnegie Hall. We're gonna talk about the lead up, the planning, and the preparation for Judy's. Carnegie Hall concert, what it all involved, a meticulous organization. I hope you'll join me as we continue to celebrate [00:13:00] the incredible legacy of Judy Garland and her unforgettable night at Carnegie Hall because after all, as I've said, it wasn't just a concert, it was.

A moment in history, a statement to the power of resilience and the magic of live performance. Thank you for joining me on this first episode of Judy at Carnegie Hall, everything you ever wanted to know about the greatest concert that ever was. That's a mouthful. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share with your friends, and leave a review.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and any questions you might have as we delve deeper into this extraordinary event. Keep listening to the music and remember. There's no place like Carnegie [00:14:00] Hall.