…or for anyone else who can help. But I suspect Eve will know something about this.
I’d like to find out about Eva Tanguay. I’ve found one website (with only about a page of info). I haven’t found any books about her. I’ve seen a recording of only ONE of her songs (and it wasn’t “I Don’t Care”, darn it!). Recently I came across a record liner that says that Mae West got her start imitating Eva Tanguay.
This was one of the most popular entertainers of her day. Now not only is she virtually unknown, but there’s almost nothing about her anywhere. I called the Library of Performing Arts in NYC, but all they seem to have is a box of clippings.
Is there any more info on her, or (hope, hope) a biography someplace?
Update: WAS able to gain access to the subsites this worning. Bit disappointing as far as Tanguay is concerned. You’ll have to rummage through the sources and I’m not sure it’s worth the effort. As I suspected, there are a few pieces in Britannica.com that mention Tanguay but they are fairly schematic.
University of Georgia Libraries has a recording of I Don’t Care.
It’s called They Stopped the Show, published c1969 by Audio Rarities, recorded 1900-1918, ‘songs and skits featuring various performers’, with on disk narration by Chamberlain Brown.
Well, well, well. Why is it you want to know? I may (“may!”) be writing a bio of Eva Tanguay someday, down the road. IF no one else gets to her first (no, there are no bios of her yet).
What is it you want to know? Lincoln Center (now in temporary quarters on the West Side, midtown) does indeed have LOTS on her, in the way of scrapbooks and clippings. Well worth a visit.
Anyway, shoot–what do you wanna know about her?
P.S. Nope, Olive Fuller Golden’s no relation. Lauren Bacall is, but that’s another story . . .
Eve:
Thanks. When I called those folks over the phone they were obscure about what and how much they had. Ever since I moved away from the NYC area I’ve felt the lack – I used to go in all the time, and there’s no substitute for being there.
I’m not looking for anything in particular – just general information. You only get a few scraps anywhere you look.
This is partly as payback for someone who helped me out and published some of my stuff. He’s a relative of Eva, and he’s always looking for information about her and memorabilia.
Cal, you called Lincoln Center and asked for information?! I’m surprised they didn’t leap out through the phone and devour you like sharks! Once those people know you’re a babe in the woods, you’re done for.
Yeah, tell the relative to go there. What’s his name? There’s some guy I E’d who says he’s her relative (also named Tanguay), but he never got back to me. Is he planning a bio of her? If so, I’ll happily back off.
Just for the info of everyone here, Eva Tangauy was the Bette Midler of her day–very over-the-top singer and comic. Born in Ontario in 1878, became a vaudeville star around the turn of the century on the sheer force of her personality. Nuttier than a fruitcake, which she played up for publicity purproses.
Her theme song was “I Don’t Care,” and she was also called “The Girl Who Invented Vaudeville.” She was the highest-paid performer at one time, married several times. Her career faded in the 1920s, and the poor dear died broke in 1948.
The fellow I know is, in fact, named Tanguay, too. As far as I know he’s not planning a bio on her, but I’ll ask. I suspect he’s not the one you talked to, so don’t back off if you’re planning to write about her. Thanks.