Finger- in-ear has become a term of abuse for anybody who takes traditional song seriously.
The act of cupping the hand over the ear to allow the singer to hear his or her voice more clearly is not a new phenomenon. There are nineteenth century woodcuts of street ballad sellers using the technique. I have a record of Bengali temple singers with their hands cupped over their ears. It is a common device throughout the world with traditional singers and has been for centuries.
Perhaps those who sneer at it can't stand the sound of their own singing - maybe some audiences should adopt it!
Joe - Peggy has changed her act over recent years. While she has always sung contemporary songs, there seems to be an imbalance in her performances nowadays, and the electric piano tends to give the impression of a cabaret performer. I have a recording of a wonderful lecture she gave many years ago on accompaniment; perhaps she might want to re-listen to it sometime.
As far as I am concerned her sexuality is her own business.