Elaine Banks, Jackie Shane documentary, CBC Radio, Inside the Music, edited by David Dacks
I Got Mine, the story of the soul and R&B singer named Jackie Shane.
Shane was one of the most popular singers in Toronto’s thriving R & B scene of the mid-sixties. He was a remarkable figure for his day: he was openly gay and a cross dresser with a flair for fashion. Shane’s magnetic charisma and passionate performances made him a favourite of a generation of Toronto club goers.
This first-ever biography sheds some light on an important figure and time in Toronto’s music history. Interviews with Jackie’s friends and band mates detail his influence on a generation of musicians and performers, and speak of a legacy which extends beyond the realm of music.
In the short-run publication, AMG Raw, Gerald is referred to as a 23-year-old who can ‘obviously take care of himself.’ He is also noted as being six-feet tall, and an army veteran with a love of kung fu, water skiing, and etymology. Countless photographers described him as a sweet, mild-mannered guy, but in The Big Penis Book Dian Hanson recounts a story that contradicts his reputation. It turns out Gerald went on to tie up, rob, and set fire to one unlucky photographer’s apartment. He loved cocaine, and can be seen sporting a very long pinky nail in many of his photographs for AMG. The ‘Subjective Character Analysis’ symbols accompanying his photos in Physique Pictorial describe him as a married, fun loving, yet expensive hustler, open to topping and bottoming. Gerald was born March 13, 1952. He stood 6’ and weighed 189 lbs. when this photo was taken.
Jockohomo shared this Dorothea Lange image last week. I’ve always loved it… such a cute couple. I found out some more stuff about this strapping fellow.
Oregon, August 1939. “Unemployed lumber worker goes with his wife to the bean harvest. Note Social Security number tattooed on his arm.” (And now a bit of Shorpy scholarship/detective work. A public records search shows that 535-07-5248 belonged to one Thomas Cave, born July 1912, died in 1980 in Portland. Which would make him 27 years old when this picture was taken.) Medium format safety negative by Dorothea Lange.
On great photo blog Shorpy, his readers using Cave’s social insurance number tracked him down and found & shared findings… these new images, his tombstone etc… So cool.
The Ross Sisters were a trio of female sibling singing dancers consisting of Aggie Ross, Elmira Ross, and Maggie Ross (whose real names were Veda Victoria, Dixie Jewel and Betsy Ann Ross). The Ross Sisters performed as a 3-part harmony trio wherein they also danced and did acrobatics and contortionism. Their public attention peaked during the 1940s, during which they were featured prominently in the film Broadway Rhythm. This footage has since gained popularity on YouTube. This clip also appears in the compilation film That’s Entertainment! III (1994).
If I have a favorite fashion shoot of all time (yes, I actually said that) it is this Richard Avedon shoot for New Yorker. I still have the original 1995 issue that it appeared in. I truly thought I posted this on Sissydude already but I DIDN’T (I posted it on the old Tumblr Sissydude). The title is “In Memory Of The Late Mr & Mrs Comfort”. The pictures are not in the proper order but gosh these are just so AMAZING! LOVE & DEATH never looked so beautiful.
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