The way we weren’t
I grew up watching Marvin Hamlisch on television (and, certainly, hearing his music in movies). He was a frequent presence on “The Mike Douglas Show” and “The Merv Griffin Show” in the afternoon, and probably did more to introduce me to piano music than anyone else who comes to mind. While I never got to meet Marvin Hamlisch, who died yesterday, I almost did, just two weeks ago.
My company, Counterintuity, works with the Pasadena Symphony and POPS, where Marvin Hamlisch had served as principal pops conductor since 2011. (Click here for more about his relationship with the Pasadena POPS.) On July 21st, my business partner and I entertained clients at our table at the pops performance at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, in what turned out to be Hamlisch’s final performance. He was a real showman: unexpectedly funny, filled with passion and wit about the musical performance he would be leading, in an evening also featuring Michael Feinstein (with whom he later did a piano duet). As the photo above helps to indicate, it was a beautiful summer night spent outdoors with friends and associates and good food and wine and wonderful music.
Afterward, our little group went backstage for the VIP reception, which our friends at the Pasadena Symphony had kindly invited us to. I had brought along two copies of recent ad proofs we’d done for the Marvin Hamlisch performances at the Arboretum — including this particular show — in the hopes that he’d sign them, one copy for our office and one for the designer. We waited for a while, but he hadn’t come out yet, and my wife had noted during the show how he’d been leaning on different things when possible in a way that indicated an aching back. (It was later confirmed that he’d pulled a muscle and was in some pain.) So given that we were unsure he’d be coming out, and eyeing the gathering waiting to congratulate him, as well as the time, I slipped the ad proofs back into their folder and said, “I’ll ask him to do it next time” and we all left.
Funny how every once in a while in life you get a reminder that you can’t always count on “next time.”
August 8th, 2012 at 7:21 am
Yes, it’s “funny” strange rather than “funny” amusing that life’s reminders tip-toe up on us all. Loved your wife intuitively picking up on his pain. Rather than wait for any ‘next time’, when I see something you’ve written that is current, I like to respond – if only to remain in touch. Cheers, friend.
August 11th, 2012 at 9:31 am
I got his album THE ENTERTAINER when I was growing up. Great piano and, of course, his soundtrack playing of Scott Joplin’s music for THE STING did so much to popularize ragtime.