Enjoy Celebrity Radio’s David De Alba Interview…
Born in Cuba, David de Alba and came to the United States after Castro took power.
While living in Chicago, David realized that he resembled Judy Garland, and developed an act around her hobo and clown acts. He studied her many live performances, and absorbed much of her excitement which he tries to portray in my act.
David met the late Judy Garland several times. Being the charming and humble Star that she was; when he told her that he impersonated her on stage, she replied “Do you like me that much?”
My most recent achievements are appearing on Univisión, International TV Network, induction into TG Forum’s “Gallery of Greats”.
Find out MORE about David De Alba HERE! Email David @ cubanlegend@cox.net
Enjoy an EXCLUSIVE interview with David & Alex via YouTube:
Through David’s career he’s working with and met everybody – all of the legends!
David lives in Las Vegas and has a remarkable collection of memorabilia.
We took a tour around his home to see his collection….
De Alba now collects Garland memorabilia. His collection was featured in a television sequence of KTVU news, “Segment II”.
David is best know for his live impersonations of Judy, Liza, Singing Clown Acts, and his own international character creation, Boy-Chic, which allows me to express myself singing in English, French, and Spanish.
Here’s Alex & David at his home in Las Vegas…
Interview recorded 18th May 2017 by Alex Belfield for Celebrity Radio
Alex’s interview with David de Alba is not to be missed. A great recollection of David’s career and his time at Finocchio’s. These anecdotes bring the history of that club to life with accounts of memorable shows, people, celebrities and of course, David’s performance characters and personalities. It’s great to see slice of history recorded.
congrads , David . I would would love to see your act in person someday. You are one of a very few i left from the old school of which I am a member. Keep up the good work … SINCERLY rOBBIE rOSS
This is absolutely awesome. I enjoyed very much. Also I’ve been to a couple of his performances the past year. Looking forward to the next performance !!!!!
Hello:
I feel that Alex Belfield did a wonderful job with his video taping in capturing the legendary Cuban performer David de Alba’s warmth and the true essence that comes forth when David speaks truly from his heart!
By the way, Davd de Alba is considered one of the best acting / live singing female-impressionists of the 20th Century and the many fine awards given to him is one of the many proofs of that along of being one of the more notable ‘Class Act’ performers at the former world famous Finocchio Club in San Francisco, CA..
Congratulations to both of you!,
From Paul Ryner
David what a great interview. I hope everyone I know appreciates what a fabulous entertainer you truly are. Using your oen voice you bring Judy to life as if she was still with us.
I had the pleasure of having dinner with David last night. We talked for such a long time about the interview and his impersonations of Judy Garland. Some time last year, I had the privilege of touring David’s home as well. That was quite a treat! About twice a year, David would set up a show here in Las Vegas to commemorate the times at Finocchio Club (San Francisco) and conduct a tribute to Judy. I truly enjoyed the interview video! Alex did a great job, and I thank him for positing it up. Be there at David’s next show!
Great interview!! I have known David for many years and have attended his wonderful shows in Las Vegas. They shouldn’t be missed, his talent and enthusiasm brings Judy Garland to life on stage again. I have also had the pleasure of being at David’s home many times and keeping up on his wonderful collection of memorabilia. David is a wonderful entertainer, very professional.
David fantastic interview … !!! You are such a beautifully person !!!!
David, nice interview. Wonderful show biz stories. Some were not even in your show. And you are absolutely correct, Colette would have loved it
David is the best of the best. A real icon, full of live, vim and vigor. He is the ultimate performer of a form of entertainment not often seen in this day and age. He always puts out his best effort whether he is impersonating Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli or any of his other characters. It is a blessing to have David as a friend.
David’s interview with Alex is fantastic. Nothing less for a living legend. People this quality is born, not learned. We are so privileged to have been able to witness it.
Nice interview, David. You’re right, Colette would have loved it and the show as well.
By the way, the celeb stories are priceless. b
Very nice…but what else would I expect from David except a stellar interview. David is the best, someone to look up to, an icon among female impersonators and a dear friend. Love, Carollyn
What a great interview with David. Very heartfelt and insightful. It’s very interesting to go back and hear David’s career memories and history. I’m so glad lip syncing was not in style in the past. I love to hear David sing!
The tour of his home is fantastic. It is a great showcase of memorabilia.
Such a fabulous interview. I have been friends with David for quite a while and am very impressed with his talents. Good luck David!
Hello again,
I was thinking the other day that is a pity that these wonderful people that were part of David de Alba’s past are no longer with us: many were loyal theatrical followers (which included many of his lady hair customers who also saw him perform many times); also many older Cuban lady fans who did not speak English well but who really cared for David; then from England the late Charles Blair connected with the Judy Garland British Chapter who loved David’s loving tribute to Judy; and last but not least, a few Finocchio Club performers who became when off-stage David’s close friends…so if these folks were to be alive here on Earth nowadays, even if with the kind help of someone else to get their comments here for sure David will have so many more written comments……but because David truly does believe in the spirit world he knows they are still supporting him from Heaven Above….and by the way, David misses them every single day!
Bravo, Alex Belfield! Very in depth interview with David De Alba about his experiences as both a performer at Finnochio’s and as hairstylist at his own salon on Potrero Hill in the ’70’s and ’80’s. Great to have the history that era in San Francisco documented from firsthand stories from someone who was part of it. David is passionate about his work and life — it was a joy to watch and listen to him tell us about it.
NOTE: Ms. Ranae Gould is a lovely lady who has become most recently a new fan of David de Alba after seeing him earlier this year perform LIVE his tribute concert to Judy Garland….. and because Ms. Gould herself was not able to post her comment it was brought to my attention to do it as a favor for her…so here below is what she wrote on a piece of paper.
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“I have been wanting to comment on David’s impersonation of Judy Garland.
I grew up with her as did my parents and David does an incredibly, terrific job impersonating her.
He is extremely talented…the fact that he uses his own voice makes it even better!”
From, Ms. Ranae Gould.
David’s performances never disappoint. You’ll leave wondering whose time machine you stepped into and whether or not you want to return to your own time. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this wonderful performer.
Note: Mr. Loren Hale is a loyal fan of David de Alba’s and so was also his dear late wife Marlene….Mr. Hale sent to me this comment to be added because he was not able to do it himself.
“I have enjoyed the shows that I have been able to attend. I will try to see the next show whenever you have one scheduled, Loren.”
David has such a gift-such a wonderful show!
What a wonderful interview! David never disappoints – a true entertainer. I had the opportunity to visit with David and was honored with a tour of his home – a lovely collection of Judy Garland memorabilia.
I also attended his show and enjoyed it immensely. This is a show you should not miss!
Note: Liberty Smith is the lovely wife of James R. Smith who wrote a book called: “San Francisco’s Lost Landmarks” and on the Finocchio Club chapter Mr. Smith mentions David de Alba and features a photo of David as Judy taken on that famed Finocchio Club stage.
Then to top that, Mr. and Mrs. Smith came to Las Vegas (all the way from Northern California) many moons ago to see David’s concert tribute to Judy Garland at The Winchester Theater…then they came to our home for dessert and coffee and to see David’s very rare / unique Judy / OZ theatrical memorabilia.
So this wonderful comment from Liberty Smith and also from James Smith which appear on this ‘Comments Section’ are priceless!
Thank you!
Note: Robbie Ross was a well-liked female impersonator that performed at the famous all LIVE ‘Jewel Box Revue’…then later on he became a well-known ‘wig stylist for many hit musical Broadway Shows in New York City’.
Robbie asked me to put his comment on his behalf because he was not able to do it himself …(read below.)
From Robbie Ross, Santa Rosa, California.
Congratulations, David. GREAT INTERVIEW! I hope that someday I’l be able to see your act in person as you are one of the only performers from the old school who is still around. Continued success in the future!
xoxo Robbie Ross.
Beautiful story about a beautiful human!!!
NOTE: Here is a comment from Joann Siravo who was not able to post her comment by herself and then asked me to do it for her:
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“I remember as a young girl watching Judy Garland sing on TV and I remember being fascinated with the emotion coming from her. I have seen David’s Judy (and Liza) many times and he captures that emotion beautifully and perfectly. David de Alba quite literally channels Judy in his shows. She is there. One can feel it. David’s talent, which comes from his many years of performing, is so pure. Nothing is held back. He is passionate and it shows.” ……Joann Siravo……
This is a comment from a former Star act in Atlantic City, USA. and her name is: Silvana Gabreilla…(She has a problem doing it herself and sent me her comment so I can do it for her, please read below.)
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“As an entertainer out of Atlantic City I wanted to see a show here in Las Vegas that would me me stand up and say BRAVO. Well, I found that show at The Onyx Theater. The performer was Mr. David de Alba doing his act of Miss Judy Garland.
The moment he stepped out on-stage, and looked towards the audience, he was Miss Judy in every aspect. His performance was so meticulous and methodical. He is remembered as a legend at the world famous Finocchio Club in San Francisco, California and he is truly a legend in Las Vegas.
Please, let’s see more of this performer for he is one great act!… Silvana Gabreilla.”
I have known David since about 1979 or 1980. We lived above his shop on 18th and Kansas. He did my mother’s hair weekly for many years and did my first perm and color on my hair and always cut and styled it for me and tweezed my eyebrows (ouch) and kept me looking like the girl all the boys wanted to date through my teenage years. His salon was amazing. My mother Beverly Joan Garrison was on 2 episodes when the TV news came to do stories. My father V.L. (Gary) Garrison owned the dry cleaners 1 Street down on 18th and Vermont called Vermont Dry Cleaners. We adored Davis aka Heri the Hairstylist. My mother was lucky enough to see him perform but I was too young to get into the club at the time. It was wonderful finding David after about 35 years. My mother would be very happy.