Gay icon Own Kind of Music" and "Different") and free love. Her music was later featured in the acclaimed gay film "Beautiful Thing" (1996), adapted from the play of the same name. Singer and actress Bette Midler became recognized as a gay icon in the 1970s. After performing on Broadway, Midler began performing at the Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in the city, where she became close to her piano accompanist Barry Manilow, who produced her first major album "The Divine Miss M" (1973). "Despite the way things turned out [with the AIDS crisis], I'm still proud of those days [singing at
Friends (Bette Midler song) be heard during the final scene and closing credits of the 1973 mystery film "The Last of Sheila". The song was also sung by the 1974-75 cast of "Zoom" during the "ZOOM was presented by" end credits reintroducing the cast members. Also, the song was performed on "The Muppet Show" Episode 115 by the Muppets and Candice Bergen, who is the guest star on that episode. A rendition of the song is heard on the film "Shrek", performed by Donkey, voiced by Eddie Murphy. Friends (Bette Midler song) "Friends" (also titled "(You Got to Have) Friends") is a 1973 hit