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ROB RICHARDS' BIOGRAPHY
Updated February 12, 2007
Rob Richards has established worldwide fame as a concert and recording
artist, and is currently the House Organist at Disney's historic El Capitan
theatre in Hollywood.
In addition to his international concert schedule, he has performed an
astonishing FOUR THOUSAND performances at the El Capitan since 1999,
playing the legendary Wurlitzer pipe organ originally installed in San
Francisco’s Fox Theatre. His combination of technical facility, showmanship
and personality has won him fans across America and around the world.
Richards was named 2005 "Organist of the Year" by the American Theatre
Organ Society, coinciding with his thirtieth year of concerts and the Society's
50th anniversary.
VARIETY (the show
business magazine) wrote that Richards’ performance at the giant Wurlitzer is
“a special added treat.” Disney legends (Academy award-winning songwriters)
the Sherman Brothers proclaimed Richards a “supercalifragilistic talent!” Film
critic Leonard Maltin enthused that Rob plays with
"musical flair... skill and showmanship." Rob has performed for many of
Hollywood's
most famous celebrities, and shared the stage at events with Julie Andrews
and Elton John!
Rob has appeared on numerous national TV programs. "The Souls of Los
Angeles" featured Rob as an Angelino with a very unusual occupation! And in
2005, he appeared on ABC-TV's "The View" playing the El Capitan pipe organ.
In addition to his El Capitan schedule and concert tours, Richards' design
expertise has led to numerous collaborations on pipe, digital, and
combination instruments.
As product specialist associated with Walker
Technical Company (builders of state-of-the-art custom digital instruments)
his duties include instrument design, marketing and public relations, as well
as concerts and recordings.
The Richards/Walker collaboration includes the
creation of Richards' own five manual digital theatre organ.
Richards' original
design includes many innovative features, and is the equivalent of 7000
pipes. It is the largest instrument of its kind in the world.
Career highlights include:
*...
the (2004) 40th Anniversary Mary Poppins Re-
premiere, with
Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke
*...
a concert appearance with famed pianist
Liberace
*...
playing the famous Radio City Music Hall
organ in
New York
*...
a concert series on the world's largest
Wurlitzer
pipe organ
*...
two years as guest organist at the Ohio
Theatre in
Columbus
*...
a special engagement as soloist: Flagstaff (AZ)
Symphony
*...
seven international concert tours including England, Japan,
Australia & New Zealand
*...
designing his own five manual digital theatre organ
His innovative “FUSION!” presentation integrates computer
music
technology with the pipe organ. The concept, while
controversial among
the purists in the organ world, introduced a new kind of
music in which
Rob is conductor, arranger and performer.
Richards is also a composer and arranger. His first
recorded collection of original music was released in 1993, entitled SONGS IN
THE KEY OF LOVE. His writing encompasses virtually every style from
academic to pop, silent film scores and music for children’s
television. He wrote the songs for KIDFIT, a children’s TV series on physical
fitness. In 1996 he completed writing and arranging music for a children’s TV
show called UNCLE WALLY’S WACKY WORLD (currently in development). In
2000 he participated in Disney's WAHOO WAGON, a new children's show
at the El Capitan theatre. In 2003, Richards wrote theme music for
legendary Hollywood puppeteer Bob Baker's Marionette Theatre.
In 2006, Richards shared composing responsibilities, writing several themes
for a new animated film, "Remember Me." The original story includes an
animated character that plays the Mighty Wurlitzer. Richards' new
compostions are written in the style of early 1930s jazz.
Passionately committed to arts programming for young people, Rob is well
known for his concerts which introduce children to the theatre organ.
Richards' search continues for the perfect home and permanent installation of
his five-manual digital theatre organ, and planning its first recording.
“AMONG THE BEST...
ELEGANCE... EMOTION... PASSIONATE...
ASTOUNDING!”
(R. Musselman, Theatre Organ Magazine)
“Rob Richards concert... A DELIGHT IN EVERY WAY!”
(P. Asgeirsson, Columbia River Clarion)
“Rob Richards... A RARE BREED... A TRUE
ORIGINAL!”
(D. Junchen, Theatre Organ Magazine)
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