Working with The Dorothy Kramer Dancers, at eighteen years old, I felt excited to experience a new community every three months. We were eager to perform at ”The County Club” near Alberta, Canada, in 1958.
When we arrived, we were short one dancer. Fortunately however, there was a dancer who stayed behind at the boarding house where we were staying.
Nancy was hired, and rehearsals started, teaching her only one routine since the show would open in two days.
On opening night, Nancy joined us for the big jungle-themed finale. We held a firepot in each hand and formed a circle with our arms stretching upward.
We were all to turn to the right. Nancy mistakenly turned to the left. My headdress had tall, white, flowing feathers attached to a turban.
My headdress caught fire immediately! I ran off stage and dropped to the ground, banging my feathers on the floor, yelling, “FIRE!”
Suddenly, someone appeared by my side. Lifting her floor-length beaded dress was Aretha Franklin, stomping out the fire! She was my savior.
Aretha’s private dressing room was closest to the stage entrance. I would visit her dressing room every night before the show started.
One night while talking, she picked up what she thought was her hair spray. It was insect
repellant. She sprayed it on her hair, and it foamed onto her face.
I quickly grabbed a glass of water and threw it on her face as I handed her a towel. She could see again but had to redo her make-up completely.
Although her eyes were bloodshot for a while, the burning sensation stopped. When she recovered, we joked, “What’s next?”
Aretha’s engagement was soon over. I was sorry to see her leave. “The Country Club” had a new star every two weeks. The stars performed there to break in their act.
I have met many stars. But none shined as brightly as Aretha. She was a kind and caring person.
She always had my love and heartfelt R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
