Disco legend Thelma Houston discusses her love of performing and her rootsy new CD.

By Ken Knox

Though she is most fondly remembered for her rousing performance of the disco staple “Don't Leave Me This Way,” Thelma Houston boasts an impressive list of credentials on her sizeable resume. The first female solo artist on the Motown roster to win a Grammy, Houston logs more than 200 appearances worldwide each year, and has appeared in a tour across Australia in the stage version of Fame, performed for the pope, joined Cher on her now-legendary Farewell Tour, appeared in a slew of TV shows and films, and emerged as a bona fide gay icon with a passionate following. Last year, she aced an appearance on NBC's Hit Me Baby, One More Time special, emerging victorious as the overwhelming favorite with $20,000 for AIDS Project L.A.

Charity work is, in fact, one of Houston's most publicized passions, with efforts on behalf of Project Angel Food's Divine Design and the Beverly Hills-based Race to Erase MS just a few of the causes she's championed. In 2003, Jan. 29 was named Thelma Houston Day by the City of West Hollywood for her tireless support in the fight against AIDS. Meanwhile, her dedication to the gay community remains unvarnished, as does her unmistakably powerful voice and star presence—both of which will be featured on Houston's first studio recording in several years, a collection of classics and standards called A Woman's Touch that will be released this year. Up first, however, is her appearance at L.A. Pride, an event that led Houston to chat with IN Los Angeles about gay fans, charity work and her next record.

IN Los Angeles: So, you're playing Pride. Since “Don't Leave Me This Way” has become such a staple in the community, how does it feel to be able to perform for gay crowds?

Thelma Houston: I have been performing for gay crowds, straight crowds, children, and old folks for years. Performing, period, feels good to me. My allegiance to the gay community has been one that's been there since the beginning of my career. I've had lots of gay friends. I've been supportive of the gay community going through the political changes I've seen. So it feels great to be able to perform for them. Always has.

Your upcoming album A Woman's Touch is an interpretation of songs originally recorded by male artists. What made you choose to go in that direction for this record?

I guess it just turned out that way. Initially, the idea was to do songs that I wish I had recorded, and as it turned out, they were all songs that had been recorded by males. (Laughs.)

From what I've heard of the record, it seems to be more rooted in blues and gospel. Do you look at this as return to form?

I wouldn't say a return. I've been doing some of these songs in my live shows over the years. I think it's more of a return to recording. I have not been recording in a while. I love performing; recording, however, is not as much fun. (Laughs.) I've never really been one to love spending a lot of time in the studio.

After so many years in the music business, what do you relish most about performing in front of a live audience?

I love the immediacy of it. That's why I don't like the recording process as much. I rely on the feedback, but a lot of times, while you're performing, you can see the response that your music is getting from people. You can see it on their faces, in their eyes, and I like that feeling.

To that end, what can fans expect to see from you at your upcoming Pride performance?

I'm going to do some of the old things, of course, and then I'm going to do some of the songs from my new CD. I just try to keep doing things that I find enjoyable, because if I find them enjoyable, I think the audience will as well. I think if you allow yourself to be stale and just get up and do things “paint by number,” then not only will you be bored, you will be boring. And that's what I try not to be.

Thelma Houston will perform on the CSW Main Stage at 8:40 p.m. on Saturday, June 11. For additional information, visit www.ThelmaHouston.com.