Our thoughts are with Vivian St James who passed away this morning after a battle with brain cancer. We know that St Peter will have a smile on his face when he sees her standing in line in the most glorious showgirl outfit that place has ever seen.
Our favourite Vivian memory? Starting onstage with a Bodyguard coat singing “I Will Always Love You”, then at the dramatic pause, just before Whitney sings her lungs out, Vivian spins around, throws the coat off, and all of a sudden, the track changes and she’s Wonder Woman decked out with gold tiara and rope. Breath-taking!
Feel free to put your favourite memory below.
With thanks to MCV: Vivien’s friend Alan Mayberry told MCV the funeral was likely to be at Le Pine Funerals in St Kilda, close to the Greyhound Hotel where Vivien gave countless performances. Mayberry said details of the funeral would be published under the name ‘Turrin’ or ‘Turrin-St James’ in the Herald-Sun.
Image Credit: T J Bateson
My favourite memories of Vivien were her Greyhound Hotel shows. Week after week she would energetically grace the stage with her unique glamour that would always impress the crowd.
I’ll miss you Viv xxx.
Rollin’, rollin’ rollin’ on the river…..some of the best memories of my life.
We’ll be surely missed by many. RIP Vivian St James – you were the best.
she made most women seem manly, and beauties paled in comparison! so sorry to hear the news. my thoughts go to those touched by her
I was fortunate enough to live with Viv for a while in the very early days….in fact, she almost picked up my Dad at the restaurant where we had my 21st dinner!!
But my fondest memory is of her doing a ‘Boy George on Smack’ show in the bedroom at home, in a Culture Club smock, with an inch of flour and water smeared on her gorgeous face…..she’s always good for a laugh!! Of course her acts became more glamorous, but her sense of fun was always the same.
RIP Vivian/D, so many loved you and so many always will…..I’ll miss you terribly, and this world won’t be the same without you in it.
Love you
Porge xxx
You were more than amazing , every weekend you gave us 200% on stage , you were born to perform , and you were in a class of your own , you were stunning but you creative energy was just very speacial , rest in peace , i will rember you for ever
Love , Light and peace
Nigel xxxooo
Vivian,
Your spirit will continue to grace the stages of Melbourne. You will be truely missed.
Rest In peace honey x
Jamie
To my Cousin Vivien,
You are with the angels now up in heaven re-united with your Mum (my Aunty Inge). May you shine just like your fabulous glittery frocks!
I know we never really had much contact with each other but that doesn’t mean I didn’t think of you from time to time!
I know your father misses you greatly and it was so upsetting that you were taken away from us so quickly!
Please give my love to Aunty Inge, whom I still miss everyday!
Ps. Remember when you, Aunty Inge and I went to that Theatre Restaurant and I got pulled up on stage to help with something? That was a fab night!
Anyhow Rest In Peace Vivien, you will be sadly missed!
Your cousin Roslyn and family xox
I have always admired your work, talent and beautiful look and presentation. I was very sad to learn of this news. Rest in Peace Vivian
The Glamour has left the building! When I found out, I was shocked. Vivian YOU WILL ALWAYS BE BEAUTIFUL AND A TRUE STAR. WHEN I SAW YOU PERFORM SNAPSHOT BY RUPAUL YOU BECAME A GODESS AMONGS MERE MORTALS. I DONT THINK ANYONE REALISES THE PERSON YOU ARE. THEY SAY GOD ALWAYS TAKE THE GOOD ONES. HE MUST OF HAD HIS EYE ON YOU FOR SOME TIME. I WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ALL THE BEST, YOU HAVE LEFT A COMMUNITY IN MOURNING. KEEPING POUTING ALL THE WAY UP TO HEAVEN. I HOPE YOUR FAMILY CAN SEE HOW FABULOUS YOU WERE AND STILL ARE AND WILL REMAIN. MY TEARS FLOW FOR. A GODESSS FOREVER.
i rememebr she spat beer on me and we had a beer fight… good times..You’ll be missed
You were like a mother to me Viv!
She was….Like a mum…always looked out for us.. Even in those sambuca hazed nights…
Beyond words will there ever be a personality to parallel that of Vivian St James. Whether she lived in her own world and we all shared, took seats, sold tickets and brought friends to view what would happen next, Viv new how to make it all worth the wait.
I can honestly say now when asked what I miss about Australia, that I will never be able to see a star performer, camp gnirlfriend and always en pointe Diva. Her passing makes Heaven seem like a way more interesting place to get into.
This feeling of sorrow at the sad loss of a Glamour. R.I.P Vivian St James. Pictures with you would be treasured of fond memories and good times.
Vivian…..you will be missed by all your neighbours in Hotham St East St Kilda…..
So dramatic, so glamorous, so flamboyant…..you were truly a STAR in the making !
Everytime you stepped out the front of our buildig the traffic would come to a screaching halt ! It was funny to watch !
Darling D,
I only really ever knew you in your old life. What laughs we had in those days. I always remember your amazing photo albums & all those bizarre medical books. We (the gang) used to spend Sundays together watching videos, eating fish’n'chips & ‘kooglehopf’ cake. How funny you always were & such an eye for the sublimely ridiculous. I remember your bathroom & bedroom were always in a state of chaos with makeup & clothes everywhere. Goulie, the cat, running around the back garden & all we could see was the white tip of his tail. Sunday nights at the Astor to watch Garbo & Dietrich films – all dressed 1940′s style. I will always love the memories of you. Love, Gabi xxx
DAZZLE, forever!!!
We were tthe best dancers Ryders ever saw. congratulations on all you achieved in this life. I knew when we were pups, that you were the princess. alwaze j.
thanks for the memories and save me a seat at the front row when i arrive.
Pete XXX
Was an honour and privilage to have met you. I will treasure the photos I have of you and I forever…FROCK ON GIRLFRIEND !!!!
Was just thinking of Vivien and heard the tragic news… what a tragic loss for all of us in the homosexuali community… I’ll miss her most at the greyhound.
Viv, Thanks for making it easier for others.. you will never be replaced.. i will never forget the thoughts of seeing you, you brought out a side i hide inside.. thanks G’nirl, you were a dimond.. and had the balls to do as you pleased to entertain the gay community like no other.
THANKS GORGEOUS WOMAN.. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Victoria
Dear D
I remember our wonderful wig pieces our make up Delirium days and our looking forward to night after night of going out,and being Vainy Wainny, from the Tasty Tim record to our vampire nights, night after night,after night after night when all we ever wanted was the right goth candle-bra,and someones flat and turban being careful not to get prints on the carpet,and how cute you and ghouli looked, wondering who would score the next star and the clothes that we used to laugh about, when, all we wanted was our photos in magazines and magazine after magazine,and how we thought we would never be without each other even when I had to go away,to be star after star none of them shone as bright as you. How dare they.
Good article, I`ve bookmarked your website and will follow your arcivity from now. Can I share it on my blog ?