Craig was dear friend of my late Aunies, and Grandmother. When he had any spare time he would spend nights at my Grannys, singing for her. For that I thank him ! Cheers Craig, and may all of you RIP, Cheers :)
Whenever I'm feeling sad, lost or just all-around shitty.. I watch Craig's performances here on UA-cam.THIS---was talent. And I laugh every time.. it truly doesn't get old. This dear, sweet, gifted man was solid gold. Such a tragedy (for the world) that he isn't still here entertaining us as the celebrated legend that he undoubtedly would have become. He's still a 'Legend' for Me. x0x0 Craig
it sure was Annie .. his film "Outrageous " also premiered there that same summer . Rumor had it that the Blase' was a tough place to work ... ah, the memories of our youth !! lol
Daily shows in the Back Room of the Provincetown Crown and Anchor before he hit it big. They were amazing. I still have pics in my photo albums of all his impersonations. He used to LOVE getting his pic taken before he hit the big time. A sad ending tho, descending into addiction, and then AIDS. He couldnt handle the great fame his talent brought him.
Where are these great legendary entertainers, gone like the golden age of hollywood, except jimmy james the last of the greats ....now we have Rupaul s drag race .."lypsync for your life"
While it is impressive that he sings live (not many drag queens do that anymore!) i must say that he is not best singer...and definitely does not sound like the women he is impersonating. But he is definitely entertaining!
You want a "best singer" ?? Try this guy on for size. ua-cam.com/video/hSbHVbZKeAA/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/9qBKBajzQvE/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/fh06RC8uh5Q/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/JNSND8xjemk/v-deo.html
Leave it to the genius of the Gay Community to have produced the only impressionist who could actually nail a spot-on impersonation of someone as talentless,boorish,and repulsive as Anita Bryant and still manage to make it funny. Perhaps she should have taken a few pointers from Mr. Russell. She might have salvaged her sad, self- destructive career. Oh well......c'est la vie.
What's the deal with the microphone as Streisand??? Babs never did that!!! Anyway, love her Anita Bryant impression even If I don't like Bryant!!! But I agree with WarriorofWriters, Jim Bailey was the better impersonator!!! Anyway he's got Judy's gestures & movements down even if the voice isn't quite right!!!
Craig did this as comedy everyone of his characters were just the nuances of the ones he was impersonating!! Where Jim Bailey was more of a spot on wanting to mimic them to a tea!! That was not what Craig did !! Apples to oranges!!!
They all come unstuck with Streisand. Jim Bailey was flawless as Garland and Peggy Lee, but also hopeless as Streisand. The problem for impersonators is that Streisand isn't mannered; she is mostly still and her movements are minimal and subtle. Only occasionally a flared hand or flash of those manicured nails. So, unable to parody subtlety, impersonators take those rare gestures, then exaggerate them and use them repeatedly. Russell mostly parodies Streisand's dance moves from A Star Is Born, which isn't even Streisand, it's her in character as Esther. Steve Brinberg (Simply Barbra) is the only one who comes close, especially in capturing her vocal stylings.
Why would a well-known gay guy marry a woman? It's not as though it is a cover for a person in private life outside of the entertainment community. What was the point?
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Craig was dear friend of my late Aunies, and Grandmother. When he had any spare time he would spend nights at my Grannys, singing for her. For that I thank him ! Cheers Craig, and may all of you RIP, Cheers :)
Omg his/her LEGS were
Absolutely heavenly
Whenever I'm feeling sad, lost or just all-around shitty.. I watch Craig's performances here on UA-cam.THIS---was talent. And I laugh every time.. it truly doesn't get old. This dear, sweet, gifted man was solid gold. Such a tragedy (for the world) that he isn't still here entertaining us as the celebrated legend that he undoubtedly would have become.
He's still a 'Legend' for Me.
x0x0 Craig
I saw him one New Year's Eve in the late 70s. It was a fabulous evening.
I saw Craig when he headlined in PTown in 76 and I was a cocktail boy at the Crown an Anchor ... .. GOD .... That was a life time ago
Great story. I played piano for Musty Chiffon at The Crown and Anchor one summer in the late 90’s.
This performance was in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. We all loved him. He died way too soon.
What an absolute treasure
I had the pleasure of seeing him perform in Cleveland ohio in the 1970's - an amazing talented man!
I'm really happy to find this here! He was the best!
amazing. and truly gifted
It´s amazing how he manages to sing in a different key than the band is playing. That´s awesome!
Magnificent!!!
he is amazing. and truly gifted
A major talent. What fabulous fun.
AMAZING!!!!!
Craig brought campy humour to his characters..rip Craig.
he is anazing. and truly gifted
Sisteren, you were too good.
Such a great actor.
what a beautiful person in a not so beautiful world rip
Judy Garland was PRICELESS! hahaha awesome!
What a talent R I P my darling 🙏🙏🙏🙏
He was my cousin, I never got to meet him but he is amazing !
Very cool, Shelby ^__^
i love love love love loev this man....wish i had met him. ....much love for him.
Very well said, bergaicht1980, cheers ;0)
He is Judy Garland. .
Craig is that special to see him live is Something you will remember forever..
I remember Satan Anita Bryant when 5000 of us in a cold Toronto night protesting her appearance at a "church"
it sure was Annie .. his film "Outrageous " also premiered there that same summer . Rumor had it that the Blase' was a tough place to work ... ah, the memories of our youth !! lol
Daily shows in the Back Room of the Provincetown Crown and Anchor before he hit it big. They were amazing. I still have pics in my photo albums of all his impersonations. He used to LOVE getting his pic taken before he hit the big time. A sad ending tho, descending into addiction, and then AIDS. He couldnt handle the great fame his talent brought him.
Genius
Gone too soon .as is my friend Gary Turner who adored him ....
i loooooooove him!!!!!!
God loves him.
I'd love to hear him do Ethel Merman; I think he could do her so well :D
He DID Ethel Merman.
I was there.... it was ABFAB!!!
Nice
he/she is no marilyn michaels.
@swayno11 your right. I would love to see some of his other shows..
I was a waitress at the cafe blasé. What was that club Craig played? The Back Room?
Seems like he’s mocking them, not giving a tribute
I do believe there was a CBC documentary made for Mr. Russell.
I wish I could have meet craig
God bless you! Mwahahahahaha! XD
Where are these great legendary entertainers, gone like the golden age of hollywood, except jimmy james the last of the greats ....now we have Rupaul s drag race .."lypsync for your life"
everybody!
Not even close
"Glory Hole Ya" Would Have Gone Over Better!
so so sad he didn't train that gifted voice
Er war der Beste
While it is impressive that he sings live (not many drag queens do that anymore!) i must say that he is not best singer...and definitely does not sound like the women he is impersonating. But he is definitely entertaining!
You want a "best singer" ?? Try this guy on for size.
ua-cam.com/video/hSbHVbZKeAA/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/9qBKBajzQvE/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/fh06RC8uh5Q/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/JNSND8xjemk/v-deo.html
The BEST
a ray of sunshine in a shit world!
Voices are not even close.😮
Best Judy ever !!
I just discovered this impersonator.... Jim Bailey.... take a listen to his judy... I hope you enjoy :-)
ua-cam.com/video/DH1_50hW-eU/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/hSbHVbZKeAA/v-deo.html
Leave it to the genius of the Gay Community to have produced the only impressionist who could actually nail a spot-on impersonation of someone as talentless,boorish,and repulsive as Anita Bryant and still manage to make it funny. Perhaps she should have taken a few pointers from Mr. Russell. She might have salvaged her sad, self- destructive career. Oh well......c'est la vie.
He. Was. The. Best. Xoxoxo
What's the deal with the microphone as Streisand??? Babs never did that!!! Anyway, love her Anita Bryant impression even If I don't like Bryant!!! But I agree with WarriorofWriters, Jim Bailey was the better impersonator!!! Anyway he's got Judy's gestures & movements down even if the voice isn't quite right!!!
He's got the Streisand crazy eyes down pat.
Craig did this as comedy everyone of his characters were just the nuances of the ones he was impersonating!! Where Jim Bailey was more of a spot on wanting to mimic them to a tea!! That was not what Craig did !! Apples to oranges!!!
They all come unstuck with Streisand. Jim Bailey was flawless as Garland and Peggy Lee, but also hopeless as Streisand. The problem for impersonators is that Streisand isn't mannered; she is mostly still and her movements are minimal and subtle. Only occasionally a flared hand or flash of those manicured nails. So, unable to parody subtlety, impersonators take those rare gestures, then exaggerate them and use them repeatedly. Russell mostly parodies Streisand's dance moves from A Star Is Born, which isn't even Streisand, it's her in character as Esther. Steve Brinberg (Simply Barbra) is the only one who comes close, especially in capturing her vocal stylings.
love him, but his barbra is not his best impersonation. anita was spot on though!
It's so bad that it comes off more like Bette Midler
Anita Bryant was a hate filled nut case ...good on ya Craig
He's a mess compared to Jim Bailey.
mrxman very lol . His Judy sounds like a munchkin
How did he get AIDS then? From Lori?
Craig Russel wasn't much of an impersonator compared to Jim Bailey.
Jim Bailey can't touch him in that he simply didn't have the range of caricatures Craig Russel crafted and embodied with such wit and heart.
more like bette than barb- talented
Why would a well-known gay guy marry a woman? It's not as though it is a cover for a person in private life outside of the entertainment community. What was the point?