Judy Garland

Singer and Actress

Judy Garland had been in show business for nearly her entire life when she finally made her Carnegie Hall debut in 1961 at the age of 38. It was one of the most celebrated evenings in the house’s history, thanks in part to the star-studded audience, which included such showbiz royalty as Richard Burton and Marilyn Monroe. Toward the end of the program, Garland brought out her three children: Liza Minnelli, and Lorna and Joey Luft. The album, which was recorded live and released as Judy at Carnegie Hall a few months after the concert, spent 73 weeks on the Billboard charts and won five Grammy Awards.

“
The only time I felt accepted or wanted was when I was on stage performing. I guess the stage was my only friend: the only place where I could feel comfortable. It was the only place where I felt equal and safe.
— JUDY GARLAND

From the Archives

Judy Garland on stage at Carnegie Hall
Judy Garland on stage at Carnegie Hall, 1961 (Courtesy of the Carnegie Hall Archives)
Judy Garland on stage at Carnegie Hall with her children Lorna Luft, Joey Luft, and Liza Minnelli
Judy Garland with her children—Lorna Luft, Joey Luft, and Liza Minnelli—at her Carnegie Hall debut, April 23, 1961 (Courtesy of the Carnegie Hall Archives)
Judy Garland raising both of her arms to the audiences while audience members crowd around the stage at Carnegie Hall, 1961.
Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall, 1961
Judy Garland’s Carnegie Hall concert flyer, 1961.
Judy Garland’s Carnegie Hall concert flyer, 1961.
Judy Garland reaching out to the audience from stage during her Carnegie Hall debut, 1961.
Judy Garland greeting the audience during her Carnegie Hall debut, 1961
Judy Garland greeting the audience during her Carnegie Hall debut, 1961
Judy Garland greeting the audience during her Carnegie Hall debut, 1961
Autographed cover of Judy Garland’s 1961 album, “Judy at Carnegie Hall.”
Autographed cover of Judy Garland’s 1961 album, Judy at Carnegie Hall
Program page from Judy Garland’s 1961 Carnegie Hall debut concert.
Program page from Judy Garland’s 1961 Carnegie Hall debut concert.
Program page from Judy Garland’s 1961 Carnegie Hall debut concert, inscribed in bold “MORE JUDY.”
Program page from Judy Garland’s 1961 Carnegie Hall debut concert.
Judy Garland singing on stage at Carnegie Hall, 1961.
Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall, 1961
Judy Garland standing on stage at Carnegie Hall and singing into a microphone, 1961.
Judy Garland on stage at Carnegie Hall, 1961
Judy Garland greeting the audience during her Carnegie Hall debut, 1961.
Judy Garland greeting the audience during her Carnegie Hall debut, 1961
Judy Garland greeting the audience as the crowd claps and surrounds the stage during her Carnegie Hall debut, 1961.
Judy Garland greeting the audience during her Carnegie Hall debut, 1961
Page from a magazine with a review of Judy Garland’s 1961 Carnegie Hall debut concert.
Magazine review of Judy Garland’s 1961 Carnegie Hall debut concert.
Judy Garland singing on stage at Carnegie Hall, 1961.
Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall, 1961
Judy Garland singing on stage at Carnegie Hall, 1961.
Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall, 1961

Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall

Carnegie Hall’s performance history database covers more than 50,000 concerts and events that occurred at Carnegie Hall from its opening in 1891 to the present. Explore events related to Judy Garland (these links will open in a new tab with the performance history search tools):

Jessica Vosk Meets Judy Garland’s “Lucky Jacket” at Carnegie Hall

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