Bootleg Betty
50 Years Ago This Month, Bette Midler’s Live At Last Premiered On Record
By Mister D
June 1, 2026
Premiere Date
June 1977
Live at Last was released as Bette Midler’s first live album, drawn from her 1976–77 Depression Tour.
Overview
Live at Last captures Bette at the height of her 1970s stage persona — bawdy, theatrical, and vocally fearless. Recorded primarily at the Cleveland Music Hall, the album blends:
- Concert performances from the Depression Tour
- Comedy and character bits (classic Bette banter)
- Full musical arrangements with the Harlettes and her touring band
- A mix of covers, originals, and signature numbers
It also includes the studio single “You’re Moving Out Today,” which became a hit and helped anchor the album’s commercial success.
The album is widely considered the first true document of Bette’s early live magic — the bawdy humor, the emotional whiplash, the cabaret?meets-rock energy — the whole Divine Miss M stage mythology captured in one package.
Why It Matters in Her Career
- It’s the first official live record of her legendary 1970s stage act.
- It preserves the Depression Tour, one of her most theatrical and comedic productions.
- It marks the end of her early?era trilogy (The Divine Miss M, Bette Midler, Songs for the New Depression) with a victory lap of sorts.
- It set the template for her later concert films and specials.
Did it win a Cable Ace Award
No — Live at Last did not win a CableACE Award.
Why?
The CableACE Awards only existed from 1978–1997, honoring cable television programming.
Live at Last is a 1977 live album, not a cable special, and therefore was never eligible.
What did win CableACE Awards for Bette?
From the verified awards list:
1985 – Nominee: Bette Midler: Art or Bust! — Performance in a Music Special
1997 – Winner: Diva Las Vegas — Performance in a Music Special or Series
1989 – Nominee: The Mondo Beyondo Show — Entertainment Host
