April
2004
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April
2004
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Tribute to Gotham Gotham was a cabaret trio formed in 1973 by Gary Herb, Michael Pace and Jonathan Morrow. David McDaniel replaced Morrow in 1975. The group was known for their comedy as much as their singing, and they became enormously successful in the 70's and 80's. An important aspect of the group was that they did it all as an openly gay act, and accordingly was the first openly gay group to play both the Kennedy Center in Washington DC (1976) and Carnegie Hall in NYC (1978). Playlist
(airdate April 26, 2004) |
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"Cabaret
Boys" by Douglas Byng and Lance Lister is the only song on this show
not by Gotham, but of course it's a perfect introduction to our modern
gay cabaret boys. Douglas Byng was
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David McDaniel, Michael Pace & Gary Herb (cw, from top) |
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1976
Live Show, from the Grand Finale, NYC |
The website for this month's show will have many extra features, most made possible by the cooperation of the group members, David McDaniel, Gary Herb & Michael Pace. They provided me with dozens of photos and articles, tapes of live recordings, and even a video! Thanks to them for making this possible. Artist Link:
Goldenrod Music (if you click on the link, and then buy a CD I get a cut...hey, do you think this website is cheap?...:)
above, they made the cover of NYC magazine "Gay" in May, 1975 |
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Early group photo, featuring Michael Pace, Gary Herb, and Jonathon Morrow (Jon left the group in 1975) below left, on the cover of The Advocate, for their June 30, 1976 edition; and far right, at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis |
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Click cover for close-up |
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above, with Gloria Swanson in London, at far right is their musical director Ron Abel; below, with Bette Midler, 1988, at the LA AIDS Design Center Benefit
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above, 1979, on "Good Morning New York" below, emceeing at 1976 Mr Club Baths
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Above, their first album, "Gotham" (1978), their 1979 12" 45rpm of "AC/DC Man," and "Void Where Inhibited," (1979). Pass your mouse over the images to see the flip sides and their 7" 45 of "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is" |
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Kennedy
Center & Carnegie Hall Shows
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The two upper shots are from their October 1 & 2, 1976, shows at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and the lower two are from Carnegie Hall, NYC, March 30, 1978 |
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Above, 1980 ad for their album; right, flyer for London engagement, 1977 |
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is a combination of?
One of the things I enjoyed while reading
over the various reviews of the act from the different years was the
way the writers tried to describe them. The
Pointer Sisters, the Boswell Sisters, |
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...and there's more, see the special bonus pages for this month |
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In Memorium
The
obituary at right was submitted
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Gary
G. Herb, founding member of the ground breaking group, Gotham, of the
1970s and 80s, died March 8, 2008, at University of Maryland Hospital
in Baltimore after a brief illness.
Gary Herb was born July 7, 1951 in Salisbury, Maryland, the son of William and Esther (Edie) Sandberg Herb. His parents were also in show business.
In 1972, Gary co-founded Gotham, a comedy/musical cabaret act, with Michael Pace. They were later joined by David McDaniel. The members of Gotham performed as America's first openly gay group minus stereotypes of gay entertainers from previous eras. Tearing down barriers wherever they performed, they paved the way for the "out" performers seen today on television sitcoms and talk shows. Receiving rave reviews from the major press from London to Los Angeles, in 1974, they gave their first performance on national television on The Merv Griffin show. In 1976 Gotham did two sold-out concerts at The Kennedy Center, and in 1978 they were the first openly gay act to play Carnegie Hall. The group recorded three albums and stopped performing in 1992. In a 2004 radio interview with KPFT in Houston, Texas, interviewer JD Doyle asked how he would like Gotham to be remembered, he replied, “I'm just happy if we're remembered. That thrills me.”
Gary Herb was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his partner of 23 years, Michael Denofrio of Salisbury, MD; and an aunt and uncle, Pearl and Arthur Melyn of Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, 165 W. 46th St., No. 1300, New York, NY 10036.
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