Believe it or not, I've been waiting for years to get this song. This is one of the only songs Lillian Russell ever recorded. Although she was a huge star, she nearly missed the era of recorded sound.
A few years ago I got a book taken out from dusty vault of the Enoch Pratt central library (PN2287.R83O25) about Lillian Russell and her pal Diamond Jim Brady. It went on at length about the extreme twelve course meals they shared. I don't remember much about her life other than gluttony.
I once went in a building on Cathedral street by the City Cafe - at the time the building was being used as the Talking Head club. Upstairs before a doorway, the floor tiles declared "The Lillian Russell Room." I wish I could buy that building.
Diamond Jim Brady has his own tribute in Baltimore, in the form of the
James Brady Urological Institute. Johns Hopkins came to his aid when his lifestyle caught up to him, and he lived up to his nickname in giving back.
I'll be posting more from this compilation because it's got some gems.
Come Down My Evenin' StarLillian Russell
from "They Stopped The Show" Audio Rarities compilation 1969
Lillian Russell, competitive eater, sex symbol
Labels: glamorous, vaudeville
