Half of Pop Duo Steve and Eydie Dies at 88
Los Angeles, CA - 1984: Steve Lawrence promotional photo for the ABC tv series 'Foul-Ups, Bleeps & Blunders'. (Photo by Bob D'Amico /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images)
Steve Lawrence, the singer known for performing as part of the Steve and Eydie duo with his wife, Eydie Gormé, died on Thursday, March 7. He was 88.
The singer and actor revealed back in 2019 that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. His death was attributed to complications from the disease, a spokesperson for his family told The Associated Press.
Born Sidney Liebowitz on July 8, 1935, Lawrence began performing on late-night talk shows in the early 1950s alongside Gormé. Despite the rising popularity of rock ’n’ roll as Lawrence and Gormé were finding their own footing in the music industry, the duo focused on performing the kinds of standards that surfaced during the Tin Pan Alley years.
Lawrence and Gormé won a Grammy Award for their 1960 album We Got Us and, 19 years later, won an Emmy Award for their television special Steve & Eydie Celebrate Irving Berlin.
In addition to his work with Gormé and on television, Lawrence found success as a solo artist. His hit ballad “Go Away Little Girl,” which was penned by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in 1963. He also found chart success with songs like “Pretty Blue Eyes,” “Footsteps” and “Portrait of My Love,” according to Billboard.
Lawrence and Gormé married in 1957 and stayed together until she passed away in 2013. Lawrence said at the time of her death that he “fell in love with her the moment I saw her and even more the first time I heard her sing.”
As news of Lawrence’s death spread on March 7, several of his fellow performers released statements paying tribute to his work and friendship.
Lawrence “was one of my favorite guests on my variety show, appearing 39 times,” Carol Burnett recalled on X. "He was also my very close friend … so close that I considered him ‘family.’ He will always be in my heart.”
Steve was one of my favorite guests on my variety show, appearing 39 times. He was also my very close friend … so close that I considered him ‘family.’ He will always be in my heart. pic.twitter.com/nBEVCgHgbr
— Carol Burnett (@imcarolburnett) March 7, 2024
“Steve now has joined his true love, his wife Eydie, and is resting with comfort in the arms of the Heavenly Father,” Dionne Warwick said in a statement shared with Variety. “My heartfelt condolences go out to both of his sons and host of friends.”
Seth MacFarlane also remembered his “musical hero” in a statement shared on X.
“His effortless baritone and superb phrasing made the most difficult songs sound easy,” MacFarlane wrote. “He was a profound influence, and when I actually got to meet him one night after doing a show in Vegas, I learned that he was also as nice and humble a guy as ever there was. Thanks for leaving behind so many incredible recordings, Steve. You'll be missed.”
