Have you ever thought about an entertainer you have not seen on stage in several years and wondered
"What are they doing now?"
This week Speak Out Reporter Jim Lawson delivers a quick update on one of the state's best loved Divas of the stage of all time. Although Larry Grimm is still very active in the community and behind the scenes,
Phoebe Tyler
has traded in her pumps for something a bit more comfortable these days. This week Speak Out reflects back on the stage career of Phoebe Tyler.
(Photo: Larry Grimm aka Phoebe Tyler, during his stage years at the Grand Palace in Charleston in the illusion of the female impersonator legend-- Divine)
Larry W. Grimm grew up in a small town in Putnam County, West Virginia, called Eleanor. He came out in the 70's, around 1973.
Phoebe performed at the Greek Downstairs Club, later to become the Grand Palace in Charleston, The Empire Lounge and The Broadway, on a regular basis. At the time, Lee Summers and his partner Mitch owned and operated The Greek Downstairs (Grand Palace). Larry describes Mitch as "adored by all of us". Mitch also performed under the stage name of Misty Deshown.
Mitch made costumes for some of the stage queens during that time and was known as just "one of the girls". Phoebe shared the spotlight with several ladies including: Viki Williams, Constance Grant and Michelle St. James. "We all got along so good and it was fun back then", says Phoebe. "No one took it as serious as it is taken now."
Jim: Do you think it was harder back then to come out as a gay man?
Phoebe: Yes, it was much harder then. At times, you had to hide what you were from your family and other people. That was the bad thing. You were very outcast.
"My mother knew. I was 13 years old when I asked her if she had ever performed oral sex on my father. She knew then that I was gay. I hid it from my father for as long as possible. I am not sure to this date if he really knows. He accepts Ted (my partner) into his home anyway.
I quit doing drag because of problems with my kidneys. It was shortly afterwards that I had to go on dialysis and remain on dialysis today.
My advice to anyone that is starting out in the drag business is to do it with all you got; dress well and learn your trade well; and have fun while doing it."
" I sold all my drag clothing and gave a lot of it away when I stopped doing drag. I miss it at times, but will never perform in drag again, but as Miss Viki Williams once said 'It is in your blood and you will always be a queen'"
Larry has been a big contributor of WVAS QUEER NEWS since it's establishment. He served as a judge in the recent Mr. WVAS QUEER NEWS contest held at Trax nightclub in Charleston and remains active in the LGBT community and is a wonderful friend and a unique source on the history of our community.
You can contact Larry at: larryg1a@aol.com
by Jim Lawson webcowboychas@aol.com
bravenet.com