David Street - Craig Russell and His Ladies

1979, Canada, Craig Russell, David Street, Drag queen, English,

Full title: "Craig Russell and His Ladies" by David Street.

David Street’s book Craig Russell and His Ladies opens a vivid window into the life and career of Craig Russell, born Craig Eadie in Toronto in 1948, who became one of Canada’s most celebrated female impersonators and actors. From a young age, Russell displayed a fascination with performance and glamour, becoming president of Mae West’s fan club as a teenager, an experience that eventually led him to live briefly in Los Angeles as her secretary.

 

This early exposure to show business and the celebrity world gave him an intimate understanding of the artistry he would later bring to his impersonations. Returning to Toronto, he pursued a dual life, working as a hairdresser while performing in gay clubs, where by 1971 he had begun to build a substantial international following. His ability to capture the essence of legendary female stars such as Carol Channing, Bette Davis, Barbra Streisand, Marlene Dietrich, Tallulah Bankhead, Judy Garland, and many others set him apart as a performer of extraordinary range and skill. Audiences from Las Vegas to Berlin, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Hamburg, and Sydney flocked to see him, drawn by the precision, charisma, and humor of his performances.

Russell’s talents extended beyond the nightclub stage into cinema, most notably in the 1977 film Outrageous!, which was inspired by the short story written by his former roommate Margaret Gibson. The film was a critical success, earning him the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 28th Berlin International Film Festival and a Canadian Film Award nomination. A sequel followed in 1987, and in the same year he released an album titled Glamour Monster, the proceeds of which contributed to AIDS research, demonstrating his willingness to use his celebrity for a broader cause.

 

Despite professional acclaim, Russell’s personal life was tumultuous, marked by struggles with mental health, addiction to cocaine, and difficulties maintaining the stability he craved. He fathered a daughter, Susan Allison, with whom he developed a relationship later in life, and he married his close friend Lori Jenkins in 1982, maintaining that marriage until his death in 1990 from a stroke related to complications from AIDS. His widow, Lori, would pass away eighteen years later, her body laid to rest beside him in Port Perry, Ontario.

Street’s book explores not only Russell’s public achievements but also the intimate reflections of those who knew him, capturing the man behind the dazzling stage persona. Friends and fellow entertainers recall him as a shy and insecure person who faced betrayal and exploitation from those around him, yet whose talent and generosity were extraordinary. German entertainer Manuela Mock recalls their years living together, filled with the chaos of costumes, pets, and fleeting moments of joy, and remembers Russell as a unique figure who left a lasting impact on those who knew him.

 

His time performing in Germany, including sold-out shows in Frankfurt and appearances at renowned venues in Amsterdam and Hamburg, demonstrated his global appeal, yet the experience also brought danger and mistreatment, including physical abuse by a so-called manager that left him scarred both physically and emotionally. The memoir presents vivid anecdotes that underline Russell’s artistry and dedication. David de Alba recounts seeing him at the After Dark Club in San Francisco, marveling at his uncanny ability to transform from one legendary singer to another, from Carol Channing to Louis Armstrong to Connie Francis, leaving audiences mesmerized. Verne Langdon recalls meeting Russell through Mae West, noting the charm and precision with which he embodied her on stage, even referencing playful escapades in West’s Santa Monica home, showing a performer committed not only to craft but to authenticity and attention to detail.

 

The book also draws attention to Russell’s humor and insight, recalling a mock epitaph he composed years before his death that encapsulated both his wit and his tragic awareness of the pitfalls of show business. Craig Russell and His Ladies presents a portrait of an artist whose life was defined by brilliance and vulnerability, a man who could command audiences across continents with his talent yet struggle privately with the pressures of fame and personal relationships.

 

Through Street’s careful documentation and the recollections of those who witnessed his life firsthand, readers gain a deep appreciation for Russell’s contributions to live performance and cinema, as well as the personal cost of living in a world that often failed to protect the extraordinary. The book serves as both tribute and cautionary tale, celebrating a performer whose spirit, daring, and artistry continue to resonate long after his premature passing. It captures the dazzling spectacle of his performances, the laughter and awe he inspired, and the tenderness and fragility that marked his human experience, making Craig Russell a figure of enduring fascination and admiration in the world of entertainment.

Available via queermusicheritage.com

and Wikipedia

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