THE STOP RAIL
Valley of the Sun Chapter of the
American Theatre Organ Society
VOLUME 30 ISSUE 3 MARCH, 2006
“The Valley of the Sun Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society is a recognized tax-exempt educational and charitable organization under section 501-C-3 of the Internal Revenue Code and is a non-profit corporation organized in the state of Arizona.”
THE STOP RAIL is published by Valley of the Sun Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society, P.O. Box 36151, Phoenix, Arizona 85067-6151, www.theatreorgans.com/az/phoenix/ Local Chapter dues are $20.00 per year. Name badges are $8.00 each. Classified ads are free for members. The non-member rate is a flat $10.00 per issue. Mail copy with check (if needed) to Dale E. CAPLIN, Editor, 2333 W. Irvington Place #26, Tucson, Arizona 85746. Publication deadline is the 15th of each previous month.
ELLEN ELDER
(Reprinted from the Arizona Republic Obituaries)
Elder, Ellen Decker, 82, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on February 6, 2006. (Wife of Elden Elder). A Memorial Service was held at the East University Church of God on February 11, 2006. (Elden has been a Chapter member for many years. He remarried a few years ago. Our thoughts and prayers will go with Elden during this time of loss).
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WILLIAM P. BROWN 1925-2006
ARIZONA REPUBLIC OBITUARY, Sunday, February 5-8, 2006. William P. "Bill" Brown, passed away peacefully at his home on 2 February 2006, surrounded by his children. He is survived by his two sons, daughter, and five grandchildren. Bill was born in Battle Creek in 1925 and raised in Columbus. He attended New Mexico Military Institute for high school and college, where he was known as "WP", and went to Japan with the Army during World War II. Upon his return, he took his MBA at Wharton then began a career in real estate development among the first recruits at Coldwell Banker's then-new Phoenix office. Over the years, Bill served on the Phoenix Planning Commission, held many offices for the Downtown YMCA and Midtown Rotary, and was active in the Phoenix Ski Club and NMMI and UPenn alumni groups. He supported many people and organizations with his time, energy, leadership, and resources. Bill may best be known as the owner of the Organ Stop Pizza restaurants. An accomplished pianist and theater organist in his own right, he loved music and was happiest when sharing it with others. With his restaurants, he entertained vast numbers of people, brought the theater organ and its music into the vernacular, launched the careers of many artists, and inspired and helped others to create similar restaurants across the country. He was a leader and active participant in all the major theater organ organizations, receiving honors and accolades from many. He also supported the installation of dozens of organs here in the valley and across the country, including Phoenix' Orpheum Theater. His contribution to the theater organ community is difficult to over estimate. Bill was also a father: father to his children, and adopted father to many younger men and women who came to know, respect, and love him. Despite an ubiquitous to-do list, he was always present for and involved with those he cared for, sharing his love of music, the fun of water and snow skiing, the skills of a craftsman, his enthusiasm for life, his good sense, good humor, and good heart. Active to the last, Bill traveled the country and world visiting friends and interesting places, continued to cross things of his to-do list, and even went jet skiing a month before his illness. Yet, he has sorely missed his wife, Barbara, who passed some years before him; may they be reunited. You have loved and taught us well, dearest father; with deepest respect and boundless love, you will be missed and remembered. Memorial Services was held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 100 West Roosevelt Street, on Friday 10 February at 11 a.m. A viewing was held at the church an hour before the service. Bill requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to either the Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014, or the Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Phoenix, 2645 N. 24th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008.
COMMENTS RECEIVED CONCERNING BILL BROWN.
Dear Friends,
Please pardon this "group letter," but Eric Brown asked me to pass on the news to all of his Dad's friends in the organ and music worlds, that Bill Brown passed away today, February 2nd, at about 2:30 in the afternoon. He has been in good spirits and a very peaceful state of mind over the last few days. He was at his own home in a comfortable bed in his living room, he could look to the windows on his left and see sunshine and all of the plants in his backyard, Eric and Lewis had made a special stand to elevate his television and Bill had a good grip on his remote control, and he could enjoy and listen to the beautiful sounds from his magnificent Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ in his living room. Bill was very much "in the moment" and awake and alert over the past few days, and I visited with him and played the organ for him on both Monday and Tuesday. His funeral will be here in Phoenix sometime in the latter part of next week. It will take place at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, which has a newly installed Schantz pipe organ, and Bill really liked the sound of this new instrument in its superb acoustics. Bill was a true innovator, he loved all of his family dearly, he has generously supported and donated to many organ projects around the country, and he has been an enormous help and "booster" to many of us who play the theatre organ for a living today. Bill was a sort of half older brother, and half father figure to me. I loved him dearly, and I will miss him greatly.
Sincerely,
Lyn Larsen
Thank you, Dale. All of Bill Brown's family and friends are in our prayers. We are so honored to have met him and enjoyed many great times at his "Organ Stop Pizza" locations. We pray that his efforts and talents will continue in his legacy to all of us!
God bless you all,
Susan and Jack Fancher, VOTS.
Hello, Dale! I originally met Bill at the Wanamaker Organ and again at the University of Penn the night he gave the New Console for the Curtis Organ
and the dedication and then again sat with him at Sanfilippo at the JATOE extravaganza several years ago - a long story. Wally McLean, Wanamaker Organ, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bill did a lot for the theatre organ society. Without him, there would be NO Organ Stop Pizza, NO Orpheum Wurlitzer, NO Phoenix College, NO 1st Christian Church type of places.
Tim Versluys, VOTS.
I've known Bill for over thirty years. He and Barbara were always very nice to me and my mom. When my mom married her second husband in 1979, the Brown's gave them a beautiful set of glasses with the map of the world done in real gold on the glass! They sent a beautiful arrangement when my mom died in 1989. The few years that I was not on the VOT board, Bill kept nagging me to get back on. He's always been very special, and Friday will be difficult, but I will be there.
Madeline LiVolsi, VOTS.
I first knew of Bill Brown while on a trip to Yuma where he was introduced from the audience. We talked at Barb Mignery’s home afterwards. I was impressed with his knowledge and dedication to theatre organ endeavors. After his broken hip, I had a breakfast with him at his home (which I had to fix in his kitchen, and, of course, I guided me through where everything was). We became friends. His passing is a loss to all who knew him. It was very difficult to be there for the funeral service. I will remember him as a true gentleman, set in his ways, but always willing and able to do what he felt best for pipe organ existence. I asked a lot from him, and he never let me down.
Dale Caplin, VOTS.
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2006 ELECTED BOARD ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE NUMBERS, AND EMAIL ADDRESSES:
President., Bill Carr, 11815 N. 77th Drive, Peoria, AZ 85345 (Cell 623-694-1746) billcarr3.vots.atos@cox.net
Vice President, Tom Fizzell, 2201 E. Siesta Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85042 (602-243-9546) tfizzell@aol.com
Secretary, Madelaine LiVolsi, 3626 W. Vernon Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85009 (602=278-9107) mmlv1@yahoo.com
Treasurer, Dale Caplin, 2333 W. Irvington Place #26, Tucson, AZ 85746 (Cell 520-370-7091) decaplin@aol.com
Member-at-large, Don Reasor, 11511 W. Cyprus Dr., Avondale, AZ 85323-4110 (623-877-0635) aaretiree@cox.net
Member-at-large, Nancy Fricke, 7405 E. Camino Santo, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260-3904 (480-607-2970) Nancyfricke@aol.com
Statutory Agent, Pete Knobloch, 1507 E. Fremont Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282 (480-820-7093) peteknobloch@yahoo.com
VOTS MARKETPLACE
Gulbransen Rialto II. Good condition. $800.00 firm. Located in Palm Desert, California. (4 hours from Phoenix). Delivery could be arranged for an additional charge. I have restored a set of Artisan Orchestra Bells (glockenspiel). $250.00 firm. The unit has a contact strip which
rests on top of the back end of each key and is activated when a key is depressed. These units install easily on most Conn organs. There is also a row of LEDs mounted on the front of the unit which light up when a note or chord is played for a nice visual effect. The unit is compact and light so shipping would not cost very much. I have pictures available
if requested. Tim Kreifels 780-668-4210 (Cell)
2 Hammond Colonnades 2 manuals, 25 pedals one walnut and one white. $1,300.00 each, Conn 650 3 manual 32 pedal theatre organ in Walnut: $1,300.00, Conn 643 2 manual 25 pedal theatre organ in Walnut: $500.00, an Eminent classical organ with two 56 note keyboards and 13 pedals: $600.00, two Allen 282C’s 2 manual 32 pedal classical in Walnut with 2 external speakers: $2,000.00 each, and an Allen 2 manual theatre organ in light Walnut with a princess 32 note pedalboard: $600.00 OBO. Hammond Elegante w/Leslie walnut $1,900.00 Dale Caplin 520-370-7091 (leave message).
Allen R-211 theatre Organ. Mint condition. $15,500.00. Walnut finish with twp HR-100 external speakers. Arizona or Southern California delivery can be arranged for just actual delivery cost. Call Don Story at 520-792-4523 or cell 520-349-3774.
Estey Chaplain’s Field Pump Organ for sale. $250.00. Blue vinyl type covering with carry handle. Knee volume control. One voice--basic diapason. Myrra Johnson 480-946-1180 or email myrrajo6@cox.net
Allen Digital Spinet theatre organ. Horse shoe bolster and stop tabs. Nice condition and everything works. $800.00 ONO. Bruce Jacobson 480-288-4987
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CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
March 12, 2006. 2:30 p.m. General Membership Meeting at First Christian Church Fellowship Hall.
March 19, 2006. “The Kid” starring Charlie Chaplain at the Orpheum Theatre. Box office opens at 1:30 p.m. Mini organ concert at 2:30 p.m.
The opening title reads: "A comedy with a smile--and perhaps a tear". As she leaves the charity hospital and passes a church wedding, Edna deposits her new baby with a pleading note in a limousine and goes off to commit suicide. The limo is stolen by thieves who dump the baby by a garbage can. Charlie the Tramp finds the baby and makes a home for him. Five years later Edna has become an opera star but does charity work for slum youngsters in hope of finding her boy. A doctor called by Edna discovers the note with the truth about the Kid and reports it to the authorities who come to take him away from Charlie. Before he arrives at the Orphan Asylum Charlie steals him back and takes him to a flophouse. The proprietor reads of a reward for the Kid and takes him to Edna. Charlie is later awakened by a kind policeman who reunites him with the Kid at Edna's mansion.
FROM THE DESK OF OUR PRESIDENT. Hi All!… 2006 will be a great year for our Chapter. Each and everyone of you have a job to do to make it happen. What, you expect ME to work? Well--sort of. To quote a popular song from the past “Life is what you make it and what you make it is up to YOU” Believe it or not our Chapter is the same way. It is best when you participate, show up to meetings, Silent Films, concerts, work sessions. The benefits to each of us for doing that we feel part of the group/ We feel included and not an outsider, and besides, we get to hear a lot of GREAT THEATRE ORGAN So be there or be square. No, you don’t have to wear you pink poodle skirt or you blue suede shoes or drive your 1956 Cadillac. Just show up and see how great you feel Phoenix College will celebrate the re-birth of their Wurlitzer this year/ We will be starting some major re-building to make sure the organ is dependable and up to the task of being played by the masters of the keyboard. In the next few months we will have many jobs for experienced as well as the novice people. So if you are interested in being a part of this great effort give me a call, 623-694-1746, and I will add you to our email or phone notification lists. Last, but certainly not the least, I want to talk about our loss of Bill Brown … We are so indebted to him for all he has done There would be no Orpheum Wurlitzer without his vision, hard work, persistence and donations of time, money, pipes and parts. A lesser man could not have prevailed against the City of Phoenix and our Community. Only a man of Bill Brown’s stature could have pulled it all together. There were a lot of others that worked along side Bill, but Bill was the guiding light that made it happen. The original Organ Stop in Phoenix spawned the re-activation of our chapter in the 1970’s after lack of interest and loss of the original Orpheum Theatre Organ. Countless members have been
introduced to Theatre Organ for the first time due to Organ Stop. The last project
that Bill was working on was putting together a toy counter for the Phoenix College Organ. Our Chapter will make sure the project will be completed. Bill will be missed by all who new him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill’s children, grandchildren and family who will miss him even more than we do Look forward to seeing each and everyone of you at one of our upcoming functions.
Bill Carr.
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL in NYC and organist CAMERON CARPENTER are the big event we're telling the world about. You've never heard the 'MIGHTY WURLITZER' played the way you're going to hear it played this *Saturday at 3PM (EST) on web radio station http://www.radiochroma.com/. *This broadcast is a replay of an event recorded on 02/04/06 at the NYC landmark. You will also hear an exclusive 'RadioCHROMA' interview with the MAESTRO. Now if you don't know who Cameron Carpenter is, write the name down. Cameron's ideas and
nterpretations are refreshingly original and generate a renewed interest in this very old, yet classic, instrument. In addition, Cameron is one of the most skillful organists I have ever seen. Tuning in is easy! Simply click on this website: http://www.radiochroma.com/ and click on the big purple button. So remember, you can hear this replay on Saturday afternoon at 3 PM (EST). Your feedback is important to us and if you know of any artists that we should also be featuring, please let us know. Very truly yours, Eddie Zee (realmacaw@radiochroma.com) TOLL FREE CALL-IN TELEPHONE NUMBER: (866) 871-1900
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Hi, Gang! Not only did I locate the former Anchorage "Uncle's Pizza" Wurlitzer, but after years of searching, found my great Alaskan friend's (Frank Butte) pipe organ now located in Alaska's capital, Juneau. Even found the theatre organ that Frank helped install and play in the State Building in Juneau, and kept in repair when installed years ago in a Juneau theatre. All thanks to a wonderful series of events! Just proves that one must keep trying even though it seems futile sometimes! Have a great day, everyone. (And thanks to my kids for having faith!) .
Bob Inman.