Eldergays, tell me about LOLA FALANA!

She was referenced a lot in the 70's on TV shows and late night talk shows (e.g. Johnny Carson). I was young and never saw her in anything - but she was a huge Vegas act and one of the first black women that was referred to as a sex symbol, that I can recall.

It almost seemed like her name was used as a default for a sexy woman - like Marilyn Monroe's name was used in the 50's and 60's.

For my young mind, she was famous for being famous - somewhere. I still couldn't recognize her face out of a sea of pictures, but I know the name.

she's in love with Jesus now so she's quit dancin' in her scanties, shakin' her funbags, and kickin' the stuff around

Backwards her name was "Analaf Alol"

Yes, in the '70s she had a very big Vegas- and "Merv Griffin" syndicated variety show-type popularity going on. Gorgeous, beautiful and snazzy in a1970s sensual Diana Ross over-the-top way.

Joey Heatherton and Lola Falana.

Don’t think Lola was as notorious as Joey though. Hence, she wasn’t as newsworthy.

Mostly variety show appearances, with occasional talk show (aka Johnny Carson).

The most fabulous Afro-Cuban danseuse/songstress ever!

The fan dance in OP's video is fabulous. Someone should steal that act.

More talent in her left beef curtain than in Diane Ross' entire scrawny body.

Lola dated Johnny Carson for a while.

She was a dancer in the Sammy Davis vehicle "Golden Boy," and Sammy would go on to promote Lola as much as he could. Her only Broadway vehicle, "Doctor Jazz" (1975), was an unmitigated disaster that lasted less than a week at the Winter Garden. But I still remember hard-working Lola descending from high above in one of the big production numbers.

I never saw Lola Falana but I did see the Black Theatre of Prague. The fans in OP's link were their ideas put to very Broadway use.

My favorite Lola Falana-related anecdote: Comedian Pat Cooper was on “The Howard Stern Show” during its early WOR-TV days, and he and Stern were discussing some of the folks he’d worked with over the years. Cooper said the once he and Falana were leaving the theatre after a show he’d opened for her, and Falana remarked to the stage manager that she hoped she didn’t get bombarded with autograph requests outside the stage door. The stage manager answered, “There’s no one there!”

LOL R12.

Good ending for her there!

Falana has done the religious right shows over the years for interviews & she is NOT a friend to our community.

If Lola has a social media platform, she is probably ranting on Trump's behalf as I write this.

R1 What am I?

Chopped liver?

Even Mary Wilson wouldn't claim that Lola Falana had more talent than Diana Ross. Judge for yourself (11:14).

Gay NYers of a certain generation:

"Lola Falana? Not a pretty story."

Because why not.

Something terrible happened to her and we never knew what. "Lola Falana, not a pretty story."

This production number is so simple and fabulous. I LOVE the fact late 60s, 70s show biz strut. She caused several hundred Italian boners instantly.

She was known as the Black Joey Heatherton.

Miss Lola Falana for Tigress by Fabergé

She became a big star in Italy, always on TV there in the 70s.

I remember her being the punch line of jokes back in the 70s but was too young to know wahy. I figured it was her silly name.

By the way the theatre at r18 is a sleek and gorgeous as Lola.

She has MS and I think went hard core religions after she recovered from a flare up of it. I think she’s been in remission for years.