The world of movies, TV, music and Broadway are all remembering multi-honored composer, conductor and performer Marvin Hamlisch who died on Monday. He was 68.
Here are some of the reactions and reminiscences:
Barbra Streisand: I’m devastated. He was my dear friend. He’s been in my life ever since the first day I met him in 1963, when he was my rehearsal pianist for “Funny Girl.” He played at my wedding in 1998… and recently for me at a benefit for women’s heart disease. The world will remember Marvin for his brilliant musical accomplishments, from “A Chorus Line” to “The Way We Were,” and so many others, but when I think of him now, it was his brilliantly quick mind, his generosity, and delicious sense of humor that made him a delight to be around. Just last night, I was trying to reach him, to tell him how much I loved him, and that I wanted to use an old song of his, that I had just heard for the first time. He was a true musical genius, but above all that, he was a beautiful human being. I will truly miss him.
“Marvin Hamlisch was a dear friend and I am truly stunned by his death at such a young age. I heard him say once that he was ‘old fashioned’ and I suppose that’s why Ronnie and I were so drawn to him, but I don’t think you could ever find a more contemporary and talented musician. During our time at the White House, he entertained at many events — he even let me sing with him a few times, but luckily his piano music drowned out my voice! And I’ll never forget that he wrote a special song for Ronnie’s surprise 77th birthday party in 1988.” — Nancy Reagan.
“I’m shocked by the loss of a great colleague, as is everyone in the theater and film business and every corner of the arts where song and score matter to people. The fraternity of songwriters has lost a great friend.” — Composer Alan Menken.
“His work had a significant influence on our culture, and continues to
reach across generations. The music industry has lost a truly gifted
artist, and our condolences are with his family, friends and all those
who were inspired by his singular talent.” — Recording Academy President
Neil Portnow
“He was one of the funniest people I knew. I will miss his talent, our laughter and friendship, but mostly I will miss Marvin. My heart is with his wife Terre always. I have lost my first lifelong best friend, and sadly we have lost a splendid, splendid talent.” — Liza Minnelli.
“Marvin was a friend and mentor, but often felt like a second father to me. To have shared the stage with such a legend has been some of the most rewarding moments in my career. Not only does he leave us with the most precious of melodies and music, but anyone who has ever shared an after show drink with him can attest to his hysterical storytelling and deep love for his stunning wife, Terre. My heart is broken. He made me feel so special. I love him so much.” — Idina Menzel.
“Today, we lost a world class virtuoso and native New Yorker whose music brought stages and screens to life from Broadway to Hollywood and all points in between. As a child of immigrants, Marvin’s life was a great New York success story.” — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
“He was more than our collaborator. He was our beloved friend. He was family. The world will miss his music, his humor, his genius. We will miss him every day for the rest of our lives.” — Alan and Marilyn Bergman.
“Marvin Hamlisch’s accomplishments in the theatre and film worlds are legendary. He left an everlasting mark with the groundbreaking ‘A Chorus Line,’ one of my personal favorites. His legacy leaves us with a treasury of songs and stories that will always be familiar to theatregoers as they stir up meaningful and heartfelt emotions.” — Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of The Broadway League.
“Marvin Hamlisch was a musical genius. He was also very, very funny, extremely bright and a wonderful and loyal friend. I am shocked at his passing; he was always so completely alive and filled with energy.” — Songwriter Carole Bayer Sager, who wrote the lyrics to “Nobody Does It Better.”
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