Lorna Luft, the daughter of Judy Garland and Sid Luft, is a first rate performer in her own right. She made her show business debut at age 11 singing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” on a Christmas special of her mother’s CBS television series The Judy Garland Show. Siblings Liza Minnelli and Joey Luft also appeared in this episode. Soon Lorna joined the family act on a summer concert tour that included Garland’s third and final appearance at the Palace Theatre on Broadway. The show was recorded live and released on ABC Records as Judy Garland: At Home at the Palace.
Luft’s theatrical career has included roles on Broadway, in national tours, European and regional theater productions of shows that include The Boy Friend; Promises, Promises; Grease; Carnival; They’re Playing Our Song; Little Shop of Horrors; Mame; Guys and Dolls; Follies; Gypsy; The Wizard of Oz as well as Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, which will be in San Francisco this winter holiday season. https://www.shnsf.com/Online/default.asp
She released her debut CD Lorna Luft: Songs My Mother Taught Me, produced by Barry Manilow and her husband, musician Colin Freeman, and authored the 1998 book Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir. Luft has toured with the concert Judy: The Songbook of Judy Garland, and made a surprise appearance to sing “After You’ve Gone” with Rufus Wainwright at the end of his Carnegie Hall tribute concert commemorating Garland’s celebrated 1961 return to the famed venue.
This year, Lorna has been back on the cabaret scene with a new solo show entitled Accentuate the Positive, as well as guest-starring in An Evening of Movies and Musicals. There’s little evidence of her giving up on what she calls “the family business.” But then, with showbiz in her blood, that probably shouldn’t come as any surprise.
San Francisco Bay Times: We are ecstatic that you will soon be back in the San Francisco Bay Area for the shows with Michael Feinstein and in the new production of White Christmas. Both you and Michael are consummate interpreters of the Great American Songbook. Why do you think this canon of music has such enduring appeal?
Lorna Luft: Because the songs were written in a time that was so much simpler. They talked about love; they talked about no love; they talked about finding love. The writers of the day wrote about subjects and emotions every single person could relate to. Even in the darkest days of World War II, Irving Berlin wrote songs about loving America and patriotism—again something everyone could relate to. Also there was very limited electronic access of information, so most people relied on the movies, the theater and the radio for entertainment, so it made it much easier to have the songs heard. Plus, the fact all of the artists of the time, when the birth of popular music came to be, were all unique in their talent—Astaire, Garland, Crosby, Sinatra, etc. They set the bar for everyone.
San Francisco Bay Times: We have been big fans of yours for many years. Your vocal range is incredible, and your personal strength and intelligence shine through every performance. Outside of your family, who have been some of your music mentors and sources of inspiration?
Lorna Luft: Artists who have always been original—The Beatles, Barbra Streisand, Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the writers and artists of Motown, David Bowie, The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, Steve Perry, Laura Nyro, Amy Winehouse. Those are just a few.
San Francisco Bay Times: Michael Feinstein works to preserve the Great American Songbook while also forging his own unique career path. You also do the latter while helping to preserve your mother’s tremendous legacy. Do you feel a responsibility to do so?
Lorna Luft: I feel a big responsibility in keeping the legacy of my mother’s name and likeness in high regard. It is a daunting task that I do with love, respect and admiration.
San Francisco Bay Times: You gave us, your fans, such a scare with the health issues! How are you feeling now, and what advice would you give to others who may be currently battling cancer?
Lorna Luft: Having been diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago was earth-shattering to me, as it is to every single person who gets that diagnosis. The only advice I can give to fellow cancer patients is to become educated in the disease. Learn everything you can about your cancer. If you do not understand what your doctor is saying to you, say that and have them explain everything to you. No question is wrong. What is wrong is not to ask a question. Find out your options as far as treatment, as far as doctors, as far as all you need to know not to be terrified, and become educated and proactive in your healthcare. The biggest lesson I have learned is to make sure to live in the moment; enjoy every single solitary day for today. And also realize we are living in the lucky years with the advances of the treatment of cancer. I’m forever grateful to all my doctors—Dr. David Agus and Dr. Philomina McAndrew—for their constant care, knowledge and educating me in the world of cancer. I’m extremely grateful to them for being in my life.
San Francisco Bay Times: Thank you for all of your charitable work on behalf of children and those affected by HIV/AIDS. You were involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS long before many others. Has this cause, in particular, always been of importance to you?
Lorna Luft: Living through the AIDS crisis was a part of all of our lives in the 80s. It was so devastating, terrifying, frustrating and horrific that I knew I couldn’t be silent. I felt I had to do something and, along with many other artists, we had a voice and we used it. I will continue to fight for everyone being treated equally. I will always fight against injustice and hatred.
San Francisco Bay Times: Curiosity compels us to ask: How did you become involved in Blondie’s Eat to the Beat?!
Lorna Luft: I met Debbie Harry through her producer Mike Chapman, and she asked me and the great Ellie Greenwich to sing on her new album that she was recording.
San Francisco Bay Times: We can’t wait to see your show with Michael at his namesake club here in San Francisco. What are you most looking forward to, both in terms of the performances and the extended stay in San Francisco?
Lorna Luft: San Francisco is one of my favorite cities in the world. My son went to college up there, so my husband and I were in San Francisco a lot in those four years. Any chance I get to be in San Francisco, I grab.
San Francisco Bay Times: You have always been a Renaissance woman, successfully balancing career with family. Are either of your children performers, or interested in pursuing such a life?
Lorna Luft: Both of my children are now mothers and fathers! My son Jesse has a gorgeous two-year-old daughter named Jordan and a new one on the way in October. We found out it’s a boy! My daughter Vanessa has a fantastic three-month-old little boy named Logan. Both my children are brilliant parents. I’ve never been more proud of two people in my life.
I’m very much looking forward to coming to San Francisco, once again, in September and, of course, spending Christmas with all of you in December!
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