Here’s What Gloria Loring Loved Most About Returning To Days of Our Lives

Liz Chandler often entertained the citizens of Salem with her extraordinary singing on Days of Our Lives. She was played by Gloria Loring from 1980 until her divorce in 1986, and fans never forgot her. With the death of Bill Hayes, the show is honoring his character Doug, and Loring was asked to reprise her role nearly 40 years later to help pay tribute to him. Although the nuts and bolts of making the show have changed since she was last on, Loring jumped at the chance to reunite with old friends and honor Hayes’ memory.

My, How the Times Have Changed

Loring wasted no time returning to DAYS when asked and told Soap Opera Digest, “I was very honored to come back to pay my respects and add a little something to the recognition of Bill Hayes.” She explained that the entire production was “90% different” from when she previously appeared on the show. What was once a large warehouse with the various sets laid out nicely and easy to find, the new studio that the show operates out of has the sets arranged “sort of like puzzle pieces,” she remarked and noted that she got lost in the new studio.

Liz’s forte was singing, and she even sang at Doug’s club called Doug’s Place. While the show used to have quite a few popular songs through many episodes, Loring lamented that music is rarely used now because of the expensive rights fees. At Doug’s funeral, she sang the song “Always,” written by Irving Berlin. She the song “Was very much already in my heart and very lovely to do. I was really happy.” (Find out about Loring’s 2020 album.)

The Music Recalled a Bygone Time

Loring was happy that she got to perform “Always” in tribute to Doug/Hayes, especially because Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie), was there to enjoy it. “It was extremely touching for her and for all of us,” she stated and further explained how songs and music, in general, can help someone to recall things in their lives, and in this case, Liz’s fond friendship with Doug. “So that was very present for me,” she explained, adding, “the feeling as we were all in that church where there was a lot of music and a lot of singing.”

Despite the differences in how the stages were arranged and the pacing of recording episodes, Loring truly enjoyed returning, especially meeting old friends Diedre Hall (Marlena) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie). Of her experience being back at DAYS, she remarked, “It was just extraordinary. There was just so much love and so much respect. It was such a lovely experience.”