Some Famous Memories

Throughout the years I have played for many events and met many very famous people. I would like to share with you a few of these thrills in my life. The majority of these times happened at The Townsend Hotel, in Birmingham, Michigan. I was their house pianist for several years and their lead entertainer and pianist.


As I was playing in the lobby during the afternoon tea, it was a cold breezy winter day, absolutely freezing! I was watching my hands as I was playing and a voice said to me, "So, how is the piano?" I looked up and froze. It was one of my great idols, Billy Joel! I think my face turned three shades of red. We shook hands, exchanged words and he was off to the Palace of Auburn Hills to play his concert. I was off to do a wedding! Wow!


Aerosmith was in town. The huge luxury bus pulled to the front of the hotel, people were buzzing around eagerly waiting for the band to walk out of the bus. Later, Steven Tyler came to have afternoon tea and sat less than five feet away from me with his giant bodyguard! Oh boy was I ever excited! Steve and I began to chat and he shared his musical memories with me, which included his knowledge of Chopin, Beethoven and many of the greats that we all love and respect. A few months later, Aerosmith returned to Detroit and Steve exited the bus in front of the hotel and we ran to give each other a big hug! I could not believe that he remembered me!


Mickey Rooney was in town to do a theatrical production. It was evening, dark, Mickey came out of the elevator, came directly to the piano, sat and played for me! What a thrill.


Mitzi Gaynor was the actress most famous for her part in South Pacific. I was hired for a private party and I got to have my picture taken with her, she was so nice and beautiful!


Christopher Plumber was in Detroit for a production and he walked by my piano in sweatpants and a winter jacket with these winter boots. With a big smile I stood up and thanked him for my childhood memories of The Sound of Music.


I was walking through all of the displays at the Atlanta gift show and it was during the quiet part of the day. There before my eyes sat Bob Denver, oh my, it was Gilligan from Gilligan's Island! What a normal and ordinary guy. We sat and chatted for over an hour. He told me that he has had a very nice life because of the residuals from the TV show. He still enjoyed musical theatre with his wife.


I was looking at the entrance of the Townsend Hotel and I saw a woman who looked so familiar. I could not quite figure it out! As she walked towards the piano I realized that is was Jaclyn Smith! This Texas woman was far more beautiful in person than in any picture or movie I had ever seen! She told me that my piano playing was beautiful and then Ms. Smith autographed my brochure to me! I could not see straight for days!


If you find any of these memories particulary interesting, send me note and I would be happy to share more with you.