Gay bathhouse (陣屋)" were built in the 1970s. Singer Bette Midler is well known for getting her start at the famous Continental Baths in New York City in the early 1970s, where she earned the nickname Bathhouse Betty. It was there, accompanied by pianist Barry Manilow (who, like the bathhouse patrons, sometimes wore only a white towel), that she created her stage persona "the Divine Miss M." On getting her start in bathhouses, Midler has remarked: Despite the way things turned out [with the AIDS crisis], I'm still proud of those days [when I got my start singing at the gay bathhouses].
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