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
Chapel of Love gold disc. The song was later included on the soundtrack to films ranging from "Full Metal Jacket" to "Father of the Bride". The hit single recorded by The Dixie Cups was ranked #279 on "Rolling Stone"s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, being the group's only song on the list. "Billboard" named the song #33 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time. American singer and actress Bette Midler recorded a cover version of "Chapel of Love" for her 1972 debut studio album, "The Divine Miss M". The track was produced and arranged