A stunning performance. Larry Kert's original recording remains the definitive version of all the different Tonys. This is slower and maybe even more full of emotion. He still has the amazing purity of tone and a soulfulness that is immensely moving. He just misses on the highest note that he originally hit so sublimely. This version still manages to be one of the best ever performed. Magnificent.
Hi...I saw West Side Story on Broadway when I was 10 and I'm 65 now. I went in a little ignorant girl who knew nothing, and came out a young lady...I bought the new movie's soundtrack, and every single nuance of every musical note Bernstein wrote is spot on and a big relief...the music is amazing...but this Tony and Maria will never be Larry Kert and Carole Lawrence...this is frozen in time on my old scratched up original vinyl my father had brought home. I've been listening to it for 55 years...I was 10 when I first heard it, and I credit it to forming the part of my personality that is emotional enough to cry tears, deep enough to take time to process the whole situation, and tender enough to know love can be so deep. I will now, still only listen to the Broadway album...Carole's last highest note of "One Hand One Heart" can break glass it's so phenomenal. At least Carole Lawrence was at the opening surrounded by Steven and Rita Moreno...Carole looked so great...she almost stole the show!
@@sherkand7241 ha, ha, I guess we are musical sisters! I wasn't so lucky to have seen the original Broadway show - was way too early for me - but I did see the original movie. That said, as much as I loved the movie neither of the film's actors moved me the way the original Broadway album did. My mother's record was worn down to the bone as I played it over and over and over. I did get to see Larry in Company though and he was marvelous! Loved Carole too!!!
Larry Kert at the peak of his artistry. This is an extremely important performance. Being able to see Larry Kert sing this one-of-the-greatest-songs-of-all time live and with the original orchestration is priceless. Young men beginning your musical careers, pay attention!
Wow! I'm blown away by his voice! What a talented man. So sad he didn't have a bigger career and he was too old to play Tony when they were casting for the movie. He died so young at 60 from AIDs...RIP.
He was very popular on Broadway - did a number of Sondheim musicals. I think he did have a big career, but people who didn't go to NYC didn't know about him.
60 is not young. Well, he couldn't keep his lust under control even at 50... Nonetheless, as a gay man, I would agree that dying because of fucking is utterly unfair.
@gnilttbs Prudish? Hello, no! If HIV hadn't cropped up, I wouldn't care. However, HIV does exist. Not protecting yourself because of your lust is condemnable. Period!
@@marcelfr90 many people who died of AIDS had contracted HIV before they knew it was a thing. Many had it for ten years or so before AIDS symptoms appeared. Your accusation is extremely prejudicial and judgmental. Shame on you.
I am awestruck to see him perform this- he is one of the most talented singers I've ever heard. In fact I can't think of anyone who could express so much and hit those notes so full bodied both soft and loud, it's amazing to behold. He just blows it out of the water. I want to hear him sing all night.
He was so handsome and such a marvelous voice ! He died the same year as Freddie Mercury; so many young people taken so early from us by a disease that we didn't understand !
In as far as the new West Side Story movie, why hasn't Larry Kert been discussed with the reference of him being the original Tony? He set the bar for all the Tony's after him. His vocals are pristine. I can't imagine the boy who plays Tony in the new movie will be able to excel over Larry Kert...
@@yura7350 don’t agree. He actually sounds like a rough Kert and he sings just fine. Kert was the greatest Tony but Elgort does a very nice job. He obviously listened to Larry Kert quite a bit.
@@eowyn1964 Hi....yes I thought about Carole Lawrence, also...but happily she showed up with Steven and Rita all together on the red carpet at the Premiere...she looked fantastic!
Stupid Hollywood, they cast a bit player for the role of Tony, that hardly anyone ever heard of and who couldn't even sing..aka Natalie Wood also, and ignored this talented singer, who even was better looking than the one they chose...go figure.
I agree.Larry and Carol Lawrence should have made the movie.They did a performance in the Ed Sullivan show the same year and they were great,I didnt like Natalie and Richard Beymer both dubbed.
@Mark Ehrlich I never liked Richard Beymer in that role. I wish they would have put Carol Lawrence and Larry Kert in the movie; what a shame that Hollywood does things like that. I think today they are getting better at casting actors who can sing, such as Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman in "Les Miserables".
He was definitely the mold of Tony that was never improved upon. He played Tony night after night on Broadway through it's maiden run. Of course he's going to be the strongest of all Tonys. He had to live that role. Richard Beymer was an up and coming Hollywood Actor who never quite broke out. I thought Jimmy Bryant, the guy who sang the Tony songs in the '61 movie was an excellent singer and his voice could match Beymer's looks and non-singing voice. The difference was, Beymer only needed to get his acting right once in multiple takes. Kert had to get it right every time he went on stage.
Larry Kert's voice is indeed the definitive Tony. Past Tonys sound either too operatic or too adolescent. I thought Josh Groban would have done well but his version lacks power. Larry's was perfect.
@@berkeleyedit7852 Totally agree with both of you! I think it's tragic that he was never the superstar he deserved to be. For me he is/was/ and always will be the one and only Tony!
He wasn't too old ! He was in his early 30's, and he could sing ! Everyone that had a major lead in that movie (i.e. Natalie Wood and whoever played Tony) were dubbed.
His sister was Anita Ellis, who, like her brother, never had the fame her gorgeous voice deserved. She dubbed the singing voice of Rita Hayworth in "Gilda".
A stunning performance. Larry Kert's original recording remains the definitive version of all the different Tonys. This is slower and maybe even more full of emotion. He still has the amazing purity of tone and a soulfulness that is immensely moving. He just misses on the highest note that he originally hit so sublimely. This version still manages to be one of the best ever performed. Magnificent.
Hi...I saw West Side Story on Broadway when I was 10 and I'm 65 now. I went in a little ignorant girl who knew nothing, and came out a young lady...I bought the new movie's soundtrack, and every single nuance of every musical note Bernstein wrote is spot on and a big relief...the music is amazing...but this Tony and Maria will never be Larry Kert and Carole Lawrence...this is frozen in time on my old scratched up original vinyl my father had brought home. I've been listening to it for 55 years...I was 10 when I first heard it, and I credit it to forming the part of my personality that is emotional enough to cry tears, deep enough to take time to process the whole situation, and tender enough to know love can be so deep. I will now, still only listen to the Broadway album...Carole's last highest note of "One Hand One Heart" can break glass it's so phenomenal. At least Carole Lawrence was at the opening surrounded by Steven and Rita Moreno...Carole looked so great...she almost stole the show!
@@sherkand7241 ha, ha, I guess we are musical sisters! I wasn't so lucky to have seen the original Broadway show - was way too early for me - but I did see the original movie. That said, as much as I loved the movie neither of the film's actors moved me the way the original Broadway album did. My mother's record was worn down to the bone as I played it over and over and over. I did get to see Larry in Company though and he was marvelous! Loved Carole too!!!
Larry Kert at the peak of his artistry. This is an extremely important performance. Being able to see Larry Kert sing this one-of-the-greatest-songs-of-all time live and with the original orchestration is priceless. Young men beginning your musical careers, pay attention!
Completely agreed. It leaves me almost breathless in its beauty, just incredible.
Breathtaking...Bernstein's music, Sondheim's lyrics, Kert's incomparable vocals...certainly one of the greatest love songs of all time.
He deserved a standing ovation for that
I can't watch/ listen to him without crying.
Wow! I'm blown away by his voice! What a talented man. So sad he didn't have a bigger career and he was too old to play Tony when they were casting for the movie. He died so young at 60 from AIDs...RIP.
Yeah, pretty funny no? The new Riff is 30. Guess times have changed!
He was very popular on Broadway - did a number of Sondheim musicals. I think he did have a big career, but people who didn't go to NYC didn't know about him.
Oh GOD BLESS YOU, Steven Sondheim ! I am WEEPING and sobbing with joy for your gifts to us all.
His voice is powerful and expressive. Sorry that he left us so young.
60 is not young.
Well, he couldn't keep his lust under control even at 50...
Nonetheless, as a gay man, I would agree that dying because of fucking is utterly unfair.
@gnilttbs
Prudish?
Hello, no!
If HIV hadn't cropped up, I wouldn't care.
However, HIV does exist.
Not protecting yourself because of your lust is condemnable.
Period!
@@marcelfr90 honestly, I do believe you are just a bit judgemental, gay or not.
@@marcelfr90 many people who died of AIDS had contracted HIV before they knew it was a thing. Many had it for ten years or so before AIDS symptoms appeared. Your accusation is extremely prejudicial and judgmental. Shame on you.
@@marcelfr90disgusting comment. You should be ashamed of yourself, but you're too high and mighty to be. Ignorant into the bargain.
A voice of velvet. RIP Larry
Chills......the voice! The best Tony ever.
I am awestruck to see him perform this- he is one of the most talented singers I've ever heard. In fact I can't think of anyone who could express so much and hit those notes so full bodied both soft and loud, it's amazing to behold. He just blows it out of the water. I want to hear him sing all night.
Wow. Grew up on the film, and love whoever sang for Beymer, but this... wow, wow, wow.
Larry Kert's Maria is the ONLY version there is. He was the greatest. The most beautiful version, breaks your heart.
First view of this video. Indeed, all the superlatives written here are absolutely justified. Kert was born to play Tony.
Amazing voice! Would have loved to be a fly on the wall at the Broadway opening.
Makes me wish my name was Maria.
Absolutely stunning!
RIP Larry Kert, the original West Side Story Tony
He was so handsome and such a marvelous voice ! He died the same year as Freddie Mercury; so many young people taken so early from us by a disease that we didn't understand !
What year and what did he die of. Karen Carpenter another superpower, God bless this and her?
@@TheWaldrip 1991. AIDS.
@@TheWaldrip Larry Kert died of AIDS same year as Freddie Mercury, 1991.
@@TheWaldrip he sadly died of AIDS.
He was absolutely the best!!!
In as far as the new West Side Story movie, why hasn't Larry Kert been discussed with the reference of him being the original Tony? He set the bar for all the Tony's after him. His vocals are pristine. I can't imagine the boy who plays Tony in the new movie will be able to excel over Larry Kert...
new tony should never have been cast.
embarrassing performance for all involved
@@yura7350 don’t agree. He actually sounds like a rough Kert and he sings just fine. Kert was the greatest Tony but Elgort does a very nice job. He obviously listened to Larry Kert quite a bit.
And where are the interviews with Carol Lawrence, who is still with us?
@@eowyn1964 Hi....yes I thought about Carole Lawrence, also...but happily she showed up with Steven and Rita all together on the red carpet at the Premiere...she looked fantastic!
@@sherkand7241 Oh, did she? Delighted to hear it. I grew up with the original cast album in my house.
Gorgeous.
Just beautiful
heart-breaking
He’s still got it 😭👌✨
Speechless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
beautiful
..outstanding..
Kert may actually have been a better singer at this time than back in the fifties.
My favourite Tony
He will always be "Tony".
Beautiful. ❤️❤️
i just got goosebumps what a voice!
Kert was born to play Tony.
Adore !
Stupid Hollywood, they cast a bit player for the role of Tony, that hardly anyone ever heard of and who couldn't even sing..aka Natalie Wood also, and ignored this talented singer, who even was better looking than the one they chose...go figure.
I agree.Larry and Carol Lawrence should have made the movie.They did a performance in the Ed Sullivan show the same year and they were great,I didnt like Natalie and Richard Beymer both dubbed.
Agree, but that's usual with Hollywood.
@Mark Ehrlich I never liked Richard Beymer in that role. I wish they would have put Carol Lawrence and Larry Kert in the movie; what a shame that Hollywood does things like that. I think today they are getting better at casting actors who can sing, such as Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman in "Les Miserables".
Be still my heart...💗💓💗💗💗
@@donnasturla452 I Agree
He was definitely the mold of Tony that was never improved upon. He played Tony night after night on Broadway through it's maiden run. Of course he's going to be the strongest of all Tonys. He had to live that role. Richard Beymer was an up and coming Hollywood Actor who never quite broke out. I thought Jimmy Bryant, the guy who sang the Tony songs in the '61 movie was an excellent singer and his voice could match Beymer's looks and non-singing voice. The difference was, Beymer only needed to get his acting right once in multiple takes. Kert had to get it right every time he went on stage.
Larry Kert's voice is indeed the definitive Tony. Past Tonys sound either too operatic or too adolescent. I thought Josh Groban would have done well but his version lacks power. Larry's was perfect.
Yes, yes, yes. What a loss. He should have been much more famous.
@@berkeleyedit7852 Totally agree with both of you! I think it's tragic that he was never the superstar he deserved to be. For me he is/was/ and always will be the one and only Tony!
Why wasn't that audience on its feet with applause???
Larry and Carol Lawrence were Tony and Maria for me and they should have made the 1962 movie instead of the dubbed Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer.
By 1961 when the movie was made Kert was aged 31 and Lawrence 29. A bit old for the parts.
ilove carol lorence and larry kurt
2023 still x
He should have had the role in the film.
he was too old.
He wasn't too old ! He was in his early 30's, and he could sing ! Everyone that had a major lead in that movie (i.e. Natalie Wood and whoever played Tony) were dubbed.
@@Francis3acon Except Beymer looked 40 and was borderline ridiculous in the film.
His sister was Anita Ellis, who, like her brother, never had the fame her gorgeous voice deserved. She dubbed the singing voice of Rita Hayworth in "Gilda".
Barbra Streisand in trousers I would say. Talented man. R I P
Come on x
I LIKE TO LIVE IN AMERICA OKAY BYE MEH IN AMERICA EVERYTHING FREE IN- oh wrong song
When I finish my work I want to be mobbed by women like that !
George Bush was a great singer....
Ha! Never thought about it before, now I probably won't ever for get it...
There were plenty of women who were attracted to him. With his talent and good looks, he should have converted to heterosexuality.
First view of this video. Indeed, all the superlatives written here are absolutely justified. Kert was born to play Tony.