Bette Midler

The Divine Miss M

First released1972

The Divine Miss M, Bette Midler's debut album released in 1972, was recorded at Atlantic Records' studios in New York and produced by Barry Manilow, who also arranged many of the tracks and played piano. The production featured a sophisticated blend of jazz, pop, and show tunes that reflected Midler's cabaret roots and theatrical sensibility. Recording took place during the early 1970s when Midler was establishing herself as a major recording artist following her success in the bathhouses and clubs of New York. The album's polished production and Manilow's elegant arrangements helped showcase Midler's powerful vocals and interpretive skills across diverse material. The Divine Miss M became a commercial and critical success, winning the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and establishing the artistic partnership between Midler and Manilow that would define her early recording career.