I've been looking for this performance for decennia, and am very glad you posted it. I always remembered Graig singing that Sonja had asked him " What assets you got on ya?", and wonder if Graig maybe performed at Sonja's twice, or i just changed the line in my memory. Unforgettable person. I'm so glad that these little gems of him are to be found here. He still inspires me and moves me like no one else can in this genre. He's so unique.
If interested, I find Craig Russell's Bette Davis act to be his best, most clever work. Am amazing impersonator, but so much more, as a true comedian and performer.
Craig Russell was amazing... he starred in the 70's movie, Outrageous!, which I happened upon on A&E a few years ago... very worth hunting down a copy of this movie!! There was a sequel that I can't find ANYWHERE called Too Outgrageous! If anyone knows where I can get a copy, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!
I put the Amsterdam show on "emule" you can dowload it there. In a while i will put the Hamburg show also on "emule". The quality of Hamburg is not so good but for the real fans it will be a pleasure.
Eerie impression of Judy Garland/the original 7:00 gay icon… Craig Russell was 7:00 an artist! He had her mannerisms,humor and pathos to a “T”! The transformation to her “son” Liza ess uncanny! Brilliant performer of Judy and Liza/ two halves of legendary Judy.
My dad played in various bands with Val Devere before Val went to work in female impersonation and they remained lifelong friends. Val always talked about how good Craig was but I've never seen Craig perform until just now (I'm not even sure what got me to thinking about Val lately; he closed his live act by taking off his wig and saying "that's show (possibly the) biz (ness)/that's entertainment" or something similar, if anyone remembers). By the time I was old enough for nightclubs Craig's act wasn't the kind of entertainment I would have sought out (thinking of female impersonators as my parent's generation's entertainment, I suppose). Looks as though I missed a good show.
How interestingly enough, that in this video Craig Russell imitating Judy Garland and yet looks somewhat like Renee Zellweger. And in the future of this episode, Renee Zellweger eventually portrays Judy Garland in the movie Judy. But it's not just that people when will you come to the understanding that men were born with both g e n e s female and male and women were born with both g e n e s male and female. And for Craig Russell to actually sound like a famous star female star. That is something to behold. So why are the prejudices against feminine males and masculine females?
How does he do that with his voice? It's so amazing. I don't understand how he can make his voice sound so female. Cause he's not lipsynching. It's his own voice.
Good voice. Not too bad. looking for Judy though...she never did that kinda finish. Son? Oh, haw, haw. I don't know if Judy or Liza would really laugh.
I'm sorry but he's not very good. I LOVE Judy and Liza. Judy's been my favorite singer since I was 12 years old. I'm 63 now. That's 51 years!!!! Jim Bailey was MUCH better as Judy Garland!!!!!
Why doesn't he and all the other gays who impersonate Judy Garland play her as drunk and insulting other celebrities and screaming about her ex-husbands? Or is this a sacrilige for the gay community?
I've been looking for this performance for decennia, and am very glad you posted it. I always remembered Graig singing that Sonja had asked him " What assets you got on ya?", and wonder if Graig maybe performed at Sonja's twice, or i just changed the line in my memory. Unforgettable person. I'm so glad that these little gems of him are to be found here. He still inspires me and moves me like no one else can in this genre. He's so unique.
Agreed. I wish Craig Russel got more play. such an incredible and unique entertainer he transcended mere "impersonation.
what an incredible artist !!!!!!!!!
If interested, I find Craig Russell's Bette Davis act to be his best, most clever work. Am amazing impersonator, but so much more, as a true comedian and performer.
Craig Russell was amazing... he starred in the 70's movie, Outrageous!, which I happened upon on A&E a few years ago... very worth hunting down a copy of this movie!! There was a sequel that I can't find ANYWHERE called Too Outgrageous! If anyone knows where I can get a copy, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!
I put the Amsterdam show on "emule" you can dowload it there. In a while i will put the Hamburg show also on "emule". The quality of Hamburg is not so good but for the real fans it will be a pleasure.
1:57 - 2:10 such a beautiful moment
Nope, that is Sonja Barends (the hostess of the show)
Eerie impression of Judy Garland/the original 7:00
gay icon…
Craig Russell was 7:00 an artist!
He had her mannerisms,humor and pathos to a “T”! The transformation to her “son”
Liza ess uncanny!
Brilliant performer of Judy and Liza/ two halves of legendary Judy.
The possible with the impossible. Just great!!!
That was a great Martha Raye.
What happened to the sound?????
My dad played in various bands with Val Devere before Val went to work in female impersonation and they remained lifelong friends.
Val always talked about how good Craig was but I've never seen Craig perform until just now (I'm not even sure what got me to thinking about Val lately; he closed his live act by taking off his wig and saying "that's show (possibly the) biz (ness)/that's entertainment" or something similar, if anyone remembers).
By the time I was old enough for nightclubs Craig's act wasn't the kind of entertainment I would have sought out (thinking of female impersonators as my parent's generation's entertainment, I suppose). Looks as though I missed a good show.
Omg.
Craig as Judy ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUSLY FABULOUS XXXOOO a legs figure PURE wonderfully STUNNING
(Lilly)
Can you give us more information about this person and where and when this took place?
This is really clever. It makes a change from the more exaggerated stereotyped kind of drag.
Omg legs to die for pure dreams
now that was original!!!! I love it!!! always thought he was the better of the drags....course no one tops Jim bailey but the others...... no
How interestingly enough, that in this video Craig Russell imitating Judy Garland and yet looks somewhat like Renee Zellweger. And in the future of this episode, Renee Zellweger eventually portrays Judy Garland in the movie Judy. But it's not just that people when will you come to the understanding that men were born with both g e n e s female and male and women were born with both g e n e s male and female. And for Craig Russell to actually sound like a famous star female star. That is something to behold. So why are the prejudices against feminine males and masculine females?
Look at those legs! LOOK AT THEM!
The legs of a Murderess!
sounds sod all like Judy! Looks like bette midler lol
lol so funny
Heavenly talented breathtaking Legs
very tight underpants,,,,,, and buckets and buckets of talent
How does he do that with his voice? It's so amazing. I don't understand how he can make his voice sound so female. Cause he's not lipsynching. It's his own voice.
Craig had a four-octave vocal range.
Good voice. Not too bad. looking for Judy though...she never did that kinda finish. Son? Oh, haw, haw. I don't know if Judy or Liza would really laugh.
I'm sorry but he's not very good. I LOVE Judy and Liza. Judy's been my favorite singer since I was 12 years old. I'm 63 now. That's 51 years!!!! Jim Bailey was MUCH better as Judy Garland!!!!!
Please...
Oh no girl you don’t look like Judy lol lol lol
Why doesn't he and all the other gays who impersonate Judy Garland play her as drunk and insulting other celebrities and screaming about her ex-husbands? Or is this a sacrilige for the gay community?
yeah sickening ain't it?