Bootleg Betty
A BonBon Video: LongJohn Blues – Bette Midler 1978
By Boodles BonBon
November 8, 2026
Long-John Blues was a comic, risque song that became a favorite in Bette Midler’s live repertoire in the 1970s.
Additionally, in 1978, she performed it on tour and on TV specials, with performances surviving in concert recordings and video.
Dinah Washington originally recorded the song in the late 1940s, and it became known as a humorous double-entendre blues number. The song, often referred to as Long-John Blues, uses suggestive wordplay around a dentist.
Midler embraced the song because it fit her stage persona: a mix of old-fashioned blues, vaudeville humor, camp, and playful audience interaction. Midler’s 1978 performances included a documented appearance at the Paradise Theater in Boston on January 8, 1978. Her version is faster, more theatrical, and more comedic than the original, emphasizing facial expressions, timing, and audience reaction. The performance showcased the style that made her live shows famous: blending singing, comedy, and character acting into a cabaret-like experience. Trivia: Long-John Blues was never a major commercial single for Midler, but it became a fan favorite. Video footage from The Bette Midler Show and live Boston recordings have helped preserve the performance for later fans.
Meanwhile, many Bette Midler fans see ‘Long-John Blues’ as her peak in the ‘Divine Miss M’ era: bawdy, and funny. Moreover, it showcased her talent for reviving vintage songs while keeping them fresh for 1970s audiences.
My husband and I were at the Roxy that night. They seated us at the edge of the stage. It was great watching Bette so close up.
I bet in such an intimate setting!