Born on the 18th February 1950 in
Memphis,
Tennessee (USA). Cybill Shepherd is an actress, producer, singer,
song-writer, model and mother of three!
Since the age of 18 she has captured the attention of entertainment moguls, initially through her modeling, appearing on magazine covers for Vogue, People
and
Glamour. This then led to her being spotted by film director Peter Bogdanovich
who launched her in the Hollywood circuit when he cast her in his 1971 movie, The
Last Picture Show.
To date Cybill has starred in over 30 feature films, had
two successful TV sitcoms and is a four time
recipient of America's Golden Globe award. If that wasn't enough to convince you of her versatility she
has even released
seven studio albums as well as a live stage performance.
Okay enough of the
Cybill introductions...
I discovered
Cybill through the 1980s detective series Moonlighting. It was
as an understatement a hit here in England re-introducing her as a
very sexy and much talked about siren. I remember sneakily staying up late just to watch
Cybill (aka Maddie Hayes). The fiery scripts and electric chemistry between her and
co-star
Bruce
Willis
always made for a hot topic of conversation each week
at school. It wasn't long before the TV soundtrack
came to my attention and the fact that Cybill could
sing as the album featured two big-band tunes
sung in Season Two of the show (Blue Moonand I Told Ya I Love Ya).
I suppose I have been lucky with
my timing as I have grown up with easy access to some of the Best of Cybill
through CD, DVD and television. She has even since the 1990s been
known to make surprise guest appearances on British television and
radio. One of these included a special concert she gave for BBC Radio
2 in which she flexed her muscles as a supremo big-band vocalist. It
didn't seem long after that I can remember the news that she was
returning to do a gig at London's
renowned Café Royal in 1996. I had the ticket and was eager to go but
lets say on this occasion lady luck went against me and all I got to
see was Cybill pop up on various interviews.
To
anyone who hasn't yet got to grips with Cybill's career I'd certainly
recommend
you check out some of her movies, in order of preference:
The Lady Vanishes, Chances Are, Moonlighting
(Pilot Episode), Silver Bears, Seduced, Memphis, Taxi Driver
& Telling Secrets.
As for her singing well
I suppose Cybill ultimately caters to the
adult contemporary pop market and you'd describe her style as a cross
between Cleo Laine, Barbra Streisand & Peggy Lee. The music section of
this site will give you a good induction on that.
From 1995 the CBS sitcom "Cybill" saw her
re-claim mainstream television with what was a fast paced
family situation comedy. Apart from having a
great cast and script it was another vehicle for
Cybill to
flaunt her vocal talents who could forget the show's signature tune Nice work If You
Can Get It and the superb accapella duet she did
of it with guest-star
Tony Bennett. My
ultimate memory of this show was when I was staying on Canada's picturesque
Vancouver Island at the
Wickaninnish
Inn
in one of their beautiful pine furnished rooms with
balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean.....waves crashing against the rocks......how could I
top that? Well simple....the Cybill show came on and had
me in fits of laughter.
After
an 87 episode run this show came to an end in 1998.
Thankfully, there are endless re-runs and better still
re-recordings and soundbites of many of the songs that had
featured during the series which include my inspiration for building this
website,
the beautiful song Talk Memphis To Me
penned by Cybill and her wonderful
pianist and songwriting
partner
Tom Adams
(pictured on the right).
In March 2002, Cybill flew into
England on another one of her whirlwind visits. Amongst things she came to promote
her autobiography Cybill Disobedience and what
became her extremely successful series of cabaret dates (March 13-17) with Tom Adams. The
Pizza Express Jazz Clubbecame Cybill's temporary stage in the heart of
Soho - London's trendy haunt.
It was also my chance to finally get to meet Cybill backstage as well as experience one of
her trademark
shows which blended her usual satarical take on life: past and present
with some stunning torch song renditions of old standards like White Cliffs of Dover.
The resulting attention which stemmed from her 2002 trip
ensured Cybill was to return again to England in 2004 for yet another
stage act Cybill Disobedience with Music.
What does the future hold for Cybill?
Well one thing is guaranteed as long as
she retains her zest for life there will be more movies and recordings
for a long, long time to come!
Born on the 18th February 1950 in
Memphis,
Tennessee (USA). Cybill Shepherd is an actress, producer, singer,
song-writer, model and mother of three!
Since the age of 18 she has captured the attention of entertainment moguls, initially through her modeling, appearing on magazine covers for Vogue, People
and
Glamour. This then led to her being spotted by film director Peter Bogdanovich
who launched her in the Hollywood circuit when he cast her in his 1971 movie, The
Last Picture Show. 
and I Told Ya I Love Ya).
To
anyone who hasn't yet got to grips with Cybill's career I'd certainly
recommend
you check out some of her movies, in order of preference:
The Lady Vanishes, Chances Are, Moonlighting
(Pilot Episode), Silver Bears, Seduced, Memphis, Taxi Driver
& Telling Secrets.
As for her singing well
I suppose Cybill ultimately caters to the
adult contemporary pop market and you'd describe her style as a cross
between Cleo Laine, Barbra Streisand & Peggy Lee. The music section of
this site will give you a good induction on that.
After
an 87 episode run this show came to an end in 1998.
Thankfully, there are endless re-runs and better still
re-recordings and soundbites of many of the songs that had
featured during the series which include my inspiration for building this
website,
the beautiful song
The resulting attention which stemmed from her 2002 trip
ensured Cybill was to return again to England in 2004 for yet another
stage act Cybill Disobedience with Music.