Great Lives

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Factual: Life Stories

Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

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Great Lives: Eartha Kitt proposed by Faye Tozer

Eartha Kitt proposed by Faye Tozer

BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives, Eartha Kitt proposed by Faye Tozer

Faye Tozer from Steps nominates a singer and dancer with a trademark growl.

Eartha Kitt was a singer and performer from South Carolina who was as famous for her trademark growl as she was for hits like 'Santa Baby', 'Uksa Dara' and 'Old Fashioned Girl'.

Eartha Kitt was born in South Carolina in 1927.  She had a tough upbringing but found her talent whilst in theatre school in New York.  She became a star of stage and then screen, most notably as Catwoman in the series 'Batman'.  She upset President Johnson's wife with her comments about the Vietnam War.  Her sultry cabaret performances and trademark growl were celebrated.  She would play-up to her image as a lover of men but lived much of her life alone, and she worked tirelessly until the end.  Her best-known songs are 'Old Fashioned Girl', 'C'est si bon', 'Uska Dara' and the Christmas standard 'Santa Baby'.

Singer, dancer and actor Faye Tozer met Eartha Kitt on the set of a TV show.  Kitt wrapped her leg around the door frame of the dressing room and purred "Hello darlings" to Faye and her Steps bandmates.  It was Faye's Mum who introduced her to Eartha's music and together they listened to hits like 'Old Fashioned Girl' and 'The Day That the Circus Left Town' with Faye soon learning how to do Eartha's trademark growl.  

Presenter: Matthew Parris
Guest: Faye Tozer
Expert: John L. Williams, author of 'America's Mistress: Eartha Kitt, Her Life and Times'
Producer: Toby Field for BBC Audio in Bristol.

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Eartha Kitt proposed by Faye Tozer

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