Stan Kann died a couple of weeks ago at the age of 83. Stan spent more than twenty years playing the famous Wurlitzer organ at the Fox Theater in St. Louis. He also made 77 appearances on the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson with his collection of vacuum cleaners that seemed to always malfunction during the broadcast. Here is a segment done on Stan by the local PBS station.
HEY! I remember that guy! When he would appear on the Tonight Show, I remember my Mom laughing so hard she had tears rolling down her face. We so looked forward to seeing him. I’d completely forgotten about him till I watched this video. It brought back some fun memories.
Thanks for posting that…a nice tribute. I never knew vacuum cleaners were interesting.
FILM :
Stan Kann: The Happiest Man in the World (2005) – featured subject
Was just noodling around on my computer when a really great song came on the radio with some good organ. Thought about Stan and the great times he and I had during the wind-down days of WW-II. I was in the Army Air Corps flying out of Scott Field, Illinois, just across the Missippi River from St. Louis. Many were the times when I’d drive in to St.Louis (I was an officer, hence had my ’39 Mercury with me), have a bite at the Key Club in the Fairmont, then drive to the roller rink (don’t remember its name) where Stan was playing and spend the evening finding nice young ladies to partner with for the couples only sessions. I’d occasionally visit with him as he played and he’d always put in a couple of my favorites. After the rink closed, we’d get in one of our cars and prowl the drive-ins for the best malteds and shakes we could find. I remember having Thanksgiving dinner with him and his Mom in,oh boy, what year was it….1945 I think. The last time I saw him was about 2000, when he came to Wichita to play the city’s organ which was from the old Roxy Theatre in New York city. It was great seeing,and hearing, him again on this video. May God rest his soul.
I used to go to Hodges Roller Rink on Natural Bridge. It was pretty popular for a looong time. But that was in the early 60’s I think.