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Steve Lawrence, the singer who rose to fame in the ’50s and ’60s by singing with his wife in the duo Steve and Eydie, has died.
“My Dad was an inspiration to so many people. But, to me, he was just this charming, handsome, hysterically funny guy who sang a lot. Sometimes alone and sometimes with his insanely talented wife,” his son, composer and performer David Lawrence, said in a statement to Deadline.
“I am so lucky to have had him as a father and so proud to be his son,” he continued. “My hope is that his contributions to the entertainment industry will be remembered for many years to come.”
“Go Away Little Girl” singer Steve Lawrence died Thursday at the age of 88. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images He died from Alzheimer’s-related complications. Getty ImagesLawrence died Thursday from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease. He was 88.
Reps for Lawrence did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Lawrence performed with his wife, Eydie Gormé, around the world until 2009. She retired over health-related concerns, according to the Washington Post. She died at the age of 84 in 2013.
Lawrence, meanwhile, continued to tour until 2019, when he received his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Lawrence rose to fame in the 1950s as part of the musical duo Steve & Eydie with his wife, Eydie Gormé. Getty Images Lawrence and Gormé tied the knot in 1957. Getty ImagesThe actor, comedian and vocalist skyrocketed to fame with Eydie, whom he married in 1957, after they met on “The Tonight Show,” which starred Steve Allen.
Just a year after walking down the aisle, the happy couple scored their own variety show, “The Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé Show,” which ran for a season in 1958.
They went on to win a Grammy for best performance by a vocal duo or group and an Emmy for their television special “Steve & Eydie Celebrate Irving Berlin” in 1979.
They performed together until 2009, when Gormé retired. Getty Images She died in 2013. Getty ImagesWant more celebrity and pop culture news?
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“I’m very thankful that Eydie and I, not only do we have a great love, (but) a great friendship,” Lawrence once said about their relationship, per Variety.
“I think a relationship either works or doesn’t… I think, also, you have to work at it … We’re married people, you know? We fight, and one of the best shows we ever had was on the heels of an argument in the dressing room.”
Lawrence also had an impressive solo career, scoring Top 10 hits with 1959’s “Pretty Blue Eyes,” 1960’s “Footsteps,” 1961’s “Portrait Of My Love” and 1962’s No. 1 hit, “Go Away Little Girl.”
He booked several television appearances as well, including “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “The Carol Burnett Show,” “The Judy Garland Show,” “The Julie Andrews Hour” and several others.
Lawrence also had an impressive solo career, earning four Top 10 hits. Getty Images He was also nominated for a Tony. Plus, he won a Grammy and an Emmy for his work with Gormé. Getty ImagesLawrence displayed his talent on the big screen, too, most notably portraying talent manager Maury Sline in 1980’s “Blues Brothers” and its two sequels.
Furthermore, he earned a Tony nomination for playing Sammy Glick in Broadway’s “What Makes Sammy Run” in 1964.
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Listen to our weekly “We Hear” podcast Shop our exclusive merchLawrence always knew he would be a performer and was greatly inspired by Frank Sinatra.
“When I was a very young boy, I was a choir boy and then just graduated I think, the first time I heard my first Frank Sinatra record,” he told Gary James of classicbands.com.
Lawrence was heavily inspired by Frank Sinatra and never found interest in the popular rock ‘n roll of his time. Getty Images He is survived by his son, David, and other family members. Getty Images“I must’ve been fifteen years old when I heard him. I think I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my musical life,” he further recalled.
“I think his influence not only on me, but everyone who came after him, was so indelible, so powerful. He opened a brand new window for all of us who came after him.”
Lawrence is survived by his son, his daughter-in-law Faye, granddaughter Mabel and brother Bernie. He was predeceased by his son, Michael.