Beverly Shaw

Beverly Shaw was a night club singer who moved to Los Angeles in the early 50s and performed at the Flamingo Club, and after several years bought her own night spot, the Club Laurel, where she starred for almost 15 years, making it one of the most popular gay clubs in the city. Probably in the late 50s or early 60s she issued her own album, called "Songs Tailored To Your Taste."

I first learned about Beverly Shaw while visiting the One Institute in Los Angeles. They had on display a large framed poster advertizing her show (see photo of it above), probably from the 50's, and the flyer shown below. To suddenly learn about a 50's openly lesbian singer, and then to read that she recorded an album was fuel to the collector in me. It took about a year to track down the album. I do however doubt that, according to the flyer, it sold "over 47,000" copies.

Here's her album. Hold your cursor over it to see the flip side. It doesn't scan well because it has a coppery metallic finish to it, it's much more attractive in person. Below is a closeup of the back cover text. She apparently autographed this copy.

   

It was her own record label, named after her night club.

Mona's was a very popular lesbian bar in San Francisco in the 1940's. Above, male impersonators and performers between sets at the club, with Beverly Shaw seated, center. The photo below, circa 1945, shows Shaw at Mona's.