Lena Horne, to Gens Y + X
The legendary singer died Sunday at 92, and the first thing that came to mind was The Cosby Show. Her 1985 appearance on the show was how my generation met her and, in retrospect, what an introduction. TV may have hypnotized us all, but sometimes it did our world right.
Same with Sesame Street. When Rudy mentioned seeing Horne singing with Kermit, every kid like me got the reference. It was amazing today to read the Times' obit and see how both the Cosby and Kermit videos fit into the intertwining travels of race and recognition during her life.
Horne made a mix of other Muppet cameos in the '70s. None replayed like Bein' Green, but Gen X probably knew them well. Coming from Y, my favorite — which I found this winter on the Sesame Street anniversary DVDs — was her singing with Grover. The advice still served me well.
More: At the 2:50 mark, Horne sings Sing on The Muppet Show. And, growing up very much, her signature, the full 1943 Stormy Weather.
