Mercoledi Musicale

At dinner the other evening we were listening to a programme from Montreal that features music from the 40s-60s and they were playing one of my favourite songs: I’ll be seeing you. Written by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal in 1938 it has had many covers over the years. I didn’t recognize the voice and was surprised when the DJ said it was Liberace. I had forgotten, if indeed I ever knew, that it was his theme song and it ended most of his shows.

There was a time when the name Liberace was immediately recognized – he was Mr. Showmanship. His television show in the 1950s was one of the most widely watched in North America. I remember that in our family opinions of him varied widely: my Aunt Vic thought he was the cat’s meow and my mother snorted that he was a “fop”! His Las Vegas and touring shows were extravagant, flamboyant, high quality entertainment; and they were sellouts world wide. And they weren’t just about him. He featured some remarkable acts – which allowed for the 8 or 10 costume changes he indulged in. For many years the Toronto-based Famous People Players were featured in his shows

As with many of the entertainers I grew up with his name is now only a curiosity to most people beyond my generation. But I suppose that is to be expect because frankly I don’t recognize half of today’s “celebrities”. Sic transit etc.

The word for May 10^th is:
Favourite /ˈfāv(ə)rət/: [^1. adjective ^2. noun ^3. verb]
^1. Preferred before all others of the same kind.
^2.1 A person or thing that is especially popular or particularly well liked by someone.
^2.2 The competitor thought most likely to win a game or contest, especially by people betting on the outcome.
^2.3 A record of the address of a website or other data made to enable quick access; a bookmark.
^3. To record the address of (a website or other data) to enable quick access in future.
Late 16th century (as a noun): from obsolete French favorit, from Italian favorito, past participle of favorire ‘to favor’, from Latin favor