Raquel Welch, “Space Dance”

Sadly, Raquel Welch died yesterday at the age of 82. So it goes.

She starred in all sorts of great (and not-so-great) movies, with some of my favorites being BEDAZZLED, KANSAS CITY BOMBER, and THE THREE MUSKETEERS. In addition to her vast body of work, and her many classic fashion shoots where she became a famous style icon, she also popped up in a manner of other projects - including an intriguing TV special in 1970.

Titled Raquel!, it aired on CBS on April 26, 1970 and featured many different vignettes of Welch performing in various ways and costumes, covering a bunch of songs and acting in a few comedic sketches. It had guest appearances by Bob Hope, Tom Jones, and John Wayne. It was shot on various locations around the globe and featured costumes by Bob Mackie.

One of the best parts of Raquel! is the one-two punch of her “Space Dance” into singing “California Dreamin’.” The space dance was shot at Ruta de la Amistad in Mexico City (originally built for the 1968 Olympics there) and the song is The Cecil Holmes Soulful Sounds rendition of “Also Sprach Zarathustra” (riding the success of the song’s use in 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY).

While it’s sad that she is no longer living, Welch can achieve a form of immortality through her great influence and her many performances like this that will entertain and inspire people for generations.