From acting and singing in film, TV and the stage, to a career as a recording artist, Glenda Grainger’s tenure in show business is nothing short of prolific.  But how did she save herself from almost performing nude in San Juan? 

Where did you grow up?  In London, England.  How long have you lived in South Florida?  Over 40 years, except for four years, from 2001 to 2005.  Why did you move here?  Because I couldn’t stand the cold in New York.  I came to Florida, felt the warm sun and the lovely sea, and I said, “This is for me!”  What part of South Florida do you live in?  I’m in Pompano Beach now, but I’ve lived all over South Florida.  I was a gypsy. What do you like most about living here?  The weather and the easier lifestyle.  What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone?  The Sheraton Bal Harbor, where I appeared many times, many years ago.  Where do you hang out in South Florida?  Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of time to “hang out” when I’m not working.  What’s your claim-to-fame?  I made movies in France, Mexico, and one with Jerry Lewis.  I also did The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson several times, and I made several recordings in London and New York.

ADVERTISEMENT

HOOK LINE & SINKER, FEATURING GLENDA GRAINGER

How would you like to be remembered?  As a good singer and performer, and as a good and caring person.  Will you ever retire?  No!  As long as my voice is still strong, and my sense of humor is still intact, I will never stop singing professionally.  Who’s your favorite composer, and why?  That’s a hard one to answer.  I would say all the Great American Songbook composers and lyricists, because of the wonderful melodies and the complex and special lyrics.  What’s your favorite song by another musician, and why?  That’s another hard question to answer.  There are too many wonderful singers to choose from.  What’s your favorite song that you recorded, and why?  A song that I recorded in London many, many years ago, called “Who.”  It’s a wonderful recording, with beautiful lyrics written by Don Black.  What was your best celebrity experience?  Touring major cities with Milton Berle.  He treated me and my late first husband like family.

What was your impression of Jerry Lewis?  Not a good one.  Enough said!  What was your favorite variety/talk show that you performed on, and why?  The Tonight Show, with Johnny Carson.  He was the consummate host, and he put me at ease.  Also, my own variety TV show—with musicians, dancers and different acts—which was filmed in Mexico City.  What singer do you think is overrated?  Several of the younger ones who don’t know how to “read” a lyric, and just keep repeating the same words over and over.  Don’t get me started…  What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?  I was appearing in San Juan at the Caribe Hilton, and I had on a very tight form-fitting dress.  Suddenly, the entire zipper in the back broke (from the neck to under the butt), and I didn’t wear a bra or panties under this dress—just a g-string.  I whipped a tablecloth off a nearby table, wrapped and tied it around my waist, and continued singing without even a blink of an eye—I got the best applause of my career that night!

What’s your dream gig?  A big concert, in a beautiful theater, with a 40-piece orchestra.  What’s the best show you ever did?  When I did my act at The Maisonette at The St. Regis Hotel in New York.  What’s the weirdest question that a fan has asked?  There’s too many to recount.  They were usually about my “accoutrements!”  What celebrity did you act like a “fan” around?  Well, I had a very close relationship for over three years with Yul Brynner, but I wouldn’t say that I acted like a “fan” around him.  He was a great guy!  What’s the last thing that you looked at online?  My Facebook page.  I was checking to make sure that I was still there.  What’s the best place that you’ve visited?  Juan-les-Pins, when I was 19, and Hawaii, three years ago.  What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older?  To not sweat the small stuff.  What did you learn from your parents?  To be respectful of other people’s feelings.

What performer do you admire, and why?  Marilyn Maye, because at 90-years-old, she’s still singing, and she’s still interpreting the lyrics.  She’s a great lady and great performer.  What’s your best characteristic?  My sense of humor—and my boobs!  Who would you like to be for a day, and why?  George Gershwin.  To be able to write such fantastic music, both pop and symphonic.  Do you believe in an afterlife?  I’d like to.  Who or what is the greatest love of your life?  My two deceased husbands.  What talent would you most like to have?  To be able to play great jazz piano.  How do you enjoy spending your time?  Reading, knitting and writing.  What celebrity do you have a crush on?  Tom Hanks.  He’s a great actor.  Who do you admire, and why?  Marilyn Maye again, for her talent and her longevity in showbiz.

WITH JERRY LEWIS

If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be, and why?  Can I have two?  Lennie and Jerry, my two deceased husbands, because they gave me the happiest years of my life.  Where would you go in a time machine, and why?  Back to the late 40’s and 50’s, because that was the big-band era.  It had great, swinging music.  What would your last meal be?  Chocolate!  What do you worry about?  Very little.  Life’s too short—and good—to waste time worrying.  If you were a musical instrument, what would you be, and why?  A cello, because it has deep, majestic sounds, and it’s clasped between the knees of the player.  Are you more like a sheep or a wolf?  A cougar, dahling!  Who depends on you?  My little poodle, Gigi.

Who are you closest with?  A close girlfriend of over 55 years, who lives in Hawaii.  What would your autobiography be called?  A Love Affair…  With Music.  What music do you listen to when you’re upset?  I’m almost never upset, but usually female singers like Anita O’Day, Laura Fygi or Rosemary Clooney.  What’s on your bucket list?  To travel both to Tahiti and back to the south of France, a river cruise along the French Riviera, and the aforementioned concert with an orchestra!  What’s your greatest regret in life?  Not continuing my movie career when I had the chance.  What’s something that you never told anyone else?  What, you want me to tell you?!  No way!  Where can we see you?  At Chardees on the first and third Thursday of every month, at the Boca Raton Museum of Art on the second Thursday of every month, and at the Miami Shores Country Club on the last Friday of every month.

Published by MIKE JEKNAVORIAN

65 thoughts on “GLENDA GRAINGER”

  2. They don’t make them like Glenda anymore! A great Dame! (Notice that I didn’t say “Lady”— ladies are boring!)

  4. She’s so fabulous! I’m a big fan! Thanks for these wonderful interviews, I’m totally addicted.

  5. Great article!!! And yes – a great Dame! I had the pleasure of performing with Glenda in the 70’s and 80’s and in doing so she and her late husband Lenny and I became very good friends. Glenda is amazing… still performing after all these years, still very beautiful, with a voice that just won’t quit and a following of dedicated fans. I’m still one of her biggest fans and will never forget the first time I heard her sing jazz at the Hurricane East Nightclub in Wildwood NJ. Oh My Gosh! I was just mesmerized – a sexy, smokey, throaty voice that just really took you there… Wish I lived closer to her so I could pop in and enjoy her performances from time to time. Love you Glen!

  6. Glenda is a timeless entertainer who can sing the phone book & make it sound gorgeous!! She’s got the best sense of humor & she is living proof of the mantra “the show must go on” !! We love her!!❤

  8. I am proud to say that Glenda Granger is a personal friend of mine and that it seems that my life crosses the pass of many people that Mike interviews. It’s a pleasure to see that someone is paying attention to people that have paid the way through the years. And that he does not forget the fabulous entertainment of the past. Don’t forget people of the past are still prevalent. Thank you Mike and congratulations my fabulous Glenda Cathy Craig female impersonator.. I haven’t forgot about our shopping trip.

  12. Glenda is the best! Gorgeous inside and out with magnificent talent and personality! I am blessed to call her my friend. What a wonderful interview. Love you Glenda. <3

  13. Nice article Mike. Glenda is magnificent and among my absolute favorite local artists. It is great to have her as a neighbor in Palm Aire too.

  15. Hey there, You’ve done an incredible job. I抣l certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I’m sure they will be benefited from this site.

  23. The very core of your writing while sounding reasonable at first, did not really settle well with me personally after some time. Somewhere throughout the paragraphs you were able to make me a believer but just for a short while. I still have got a problem with your jumps in assumptions and one would do well to help fill in those gaps. In the event you can accomplish that, I would undoubtedly be fascinated.

  35. I’m not sure why but this site is loading very slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.

  40. It抯 actually a great and useful piece of information. I抦 satisfied that you just shared this useful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  41. I am often to blogging and i actually recognize your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your website and keep checking for brand spanking new information.

  42. Amazing! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a completely different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Superb choice of colors!

  43. My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different web page and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to going over your web page again.

  44. A person necessarily help to make significantly posts I would state. That is the first time I frequented your web page and so far? I amazed with the research you made to create this particular submit incredible. Great task!

  45. Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appearance. I must say you’ve done a great job with this. In addition, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Chrome. Outstanding Blog!

  46. I just couldn’t depart your site before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard info a person provide for your visitors? Is going to be back often to check up on new posts

  47. As I web-site possessor I believe the content material here is rattling magnificent , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck.

  48. I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.

  49. You made some clear points there. I looked on the internet for the subject and found most individuals will approve with your blog.

  50. What抯 Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & assist other users like its aided me. Great job.

  51. Great article and right to the point. I am not sure if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you people have any thoughts on where to employ some professional writers? Thanks 🙂

  52. Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I in finding It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give one thing again and aid others such as you aided me.

  53. I am really loving the theme/design of your blog. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues? A number of my blog visitors have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any solutions to help fix this problem?

  54. Wonderful blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thank you

  60. It’s my belief that mesothelioma is most lethal cancer. It has unusual properties. The more I look at it a lot more I am sure it does not work like a real solid tissues cancer. When mesothelioma is a rogue viral infection, then there is the probability of developing a vaccine in addition to offering vaccination for asbestos uncovered people who are really at high risk associated with developing long run asbestos relevant malignancies. Thanks for expressing your ideas about this important ailment.

  62. Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any tips for rookie blog writers? I’d really appreciate it.

  63. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.

Comments are closed.