Thank You, Liz Smith

It was a dream come true when I read a little blurb in Liz Smith (Oct. 6, 1992). Barbra Streisand was going to perform live for the first time in years. The occasion was a benefit for AIDS Project Los Angeles, and Barbra was going to duet with Johnny Mathis. With ticket in hand, I went to Universal City for what I thought was going to be a once in a lifetime event: Barbra Streisand singing on stage.

The evening was surreal. In fact, having been to many of her concerts since, that evening's performance remains for me the most exciting Streisand concert I ever attended.

Thanks for the heads up. Liz.

One Hand, One Heart

November 19, 1992
The first time I ever saw Barbra perform live was last night, November 18, 1992.  The occasion was an all-star benefit for Aids Project Los Angeles at the Universal Amphitheatre in LA. Barbra was the closing act.  In keeping with the evening's theme - a tribute to West Side Story, Barbra entered with Johnny Mathis and blew the audience away with their duet One Hand One Heart/I Have A Love. Barbra was the honoree that evening along with David Geffen.  She gave one of her most memorable speeches that night urging further commitment to finding a cure for Aids.  Perhaps overshadowing her emotional appeal for Aids research were her remarks in which she called for a boycott of Colorado. 

After her rousing comments, Barbra took center stage, alone, and closed the show with her signature song Somewhere.

That evening was the most amazing event I've ever experienced and one I will always cherish.  The first time seeing and hearing Barbra live in concert was pure magic.  Her music was alive and for me she finally entered reality - beyond my CD and video collection.

The program was a massive tome, chock full of tributes from sponsors, friends and celebrities. Barbra's manager even took out a one page ad to express his feelings toward Barbra on her special night.