She told the audience: “I just got off a boat and Peter just got off a plane, and we are just trying to work out what we are doing up here.” Producer David Gest, who worked with the Cathedral’s own fund-managing trustee, Margaret Harry, to assemble an audience boasting Liverpool’s great and good, said Russell was one of the last few living legends. He said: “It is so special to have my second mother here tonight, that is what she is to me.
“She is a true Hollywood legend.”
Other performers included Peabo Bryson, Brenda Holloway, Jean Knight, Connie Lush, and Freda Payne.
The event raised money for the Liverpool Unites children’s charity and the Variety Club.
Mrs Harry said: “It costs £4,000 a day to keep the Cathedral open. It is events like this which are crucial to making sure we can keep running day to day.”
Today, Russell will be honoured, alongside Ben E King, Percy Sledge and The Temptations’ Dennis Edwards, at the Liverpool Achievement In Arts Awards, at the Adelphi Hotel.
