If You Want It, Say Please

Tempest Storm. Sounds to me like some kind of angry rainfall. False. It is the name of the famous 80 year old burlesque stripper, once known as little Annie Banks. You did not read incorrectly – she is 80 years old, as in your grandparents age. I have no idea how the stripping business works, but I assume that most strippers, exotic dancers, burlesque women, and so on, retire around the age of 40-50 years old, latest. And I am not saying this because I don’t think women can still be “hot” and “sexy” when they reach this age, but sadly most are probably seeing the first signs of aging – arthritis, hair loss, fatigue, decrease in strength & stamina, Alzheimer’s, etc. Not Tempest Storm. She still performs on The Strip in Vegas (no pun intended, ha), Reno, Miami, Palm Springs, and NYC. That’s pretty damn good for someone her age, considering Big Frankie uses a walker now.

I think Tempest Storm is somewhat of a hero. Not necessarily my hero, but for some young people. Her story is very interesting, and is inspiring in the sense that it emphasizes the idea that anyone can become something great. Little Annie Banks originally came from a small town in Georgia, and life was not as glamorous as the one she now lives. She grew up in poor lower class society, and was told at a young age that her father was not her real father. This set the stage for 2 failed marriages, sexual abuse, and poverty, all of which she experienced by the age of 22. In order to get away she fled to the stage. She started in the background with crooked teeth, but soon became a star. From there on out Annie Banks was known as Tempest Storm and was living the dream. She dated Elvis Presley for a year, and performed for stars such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Mickey Rooney, Nat King Cole, Vic Damone, Walter Cronkite, and Herbie Jefferson (who she married, but it only lasted 13 years). People who read this won’t believe it, but Tempest Storm has the pictures in her show room to back it up. That is pretty amazing to me. Imagine, the biggest stars in Hollywood, requesting to see you, calling you beautiful. Sure, she may have taken some clothing off for them, but nonetheless, I think that’s pretty impressive.

Besides Tempest Storm’s rise to fame from a desolate, disturbing life, she remains a model citizen. Just because you choose to strip as a profession, does not necessarily mean you have to partake in other socially unacceptable hobbies. We always see on TV shows that stripping is associated with drugs and gambling, smoking rings, bars, etc. Well, Tempest Storm doesn’t drink, do drugs, or even smoke so much as a cigarette. She still exercises everyday, too. Heck, she still wears a sheer rhinestone bra and a G-string when she performs. Tempest is confident and still very beautiful. She doesn’t care what others think about her, either. That is the most impressive thing about her. To be 80 years old, fit, in shape, healthy, beautiful, and successful – that is the life. What woman doesn’t want what Tempest Storm has now? I hope when I am 80, I am as good-looking as Storm is and as active and successful and happy.

Check out Tempest Storm’s Myspace here.