MY Mother went to High School with Avenue Theatre owner, Vern Gregory, which is how I was able to play the organ one afternoon meeting Vern there for his lunch break. As far as I know the organ is still with a Mr. Brittain in Florida in his home studio.
I found this video quite by accident; funny how youtube works. This was the very first theater organ/Wurlitzer I ever touched. I was eleven years old, and it was after the Lyric Photoplay Recording on a Friday night, in San Francisco. There were a handful of us in the audience, down front and Jim Rosevere had left leaving us with the projectionists and Ed Stout, organ repair and builder. He had noticed something was out of pitch and wanted to address it. He asked if anyone knew chords and notes. My older buddies shoved me up there and I held chords down as Ed Climbed up into the chambers and pitched or blended the sound to his liking. I just sat here with tears rolling down my face watching Jim Riggs and a older instrument, and somewhat more augmented then that night, for me, in about 1968. What wonderful memories. I lost track of this instrument after the famous, "Cranky Night on George Wright's" playing of the concert. That was in about 1974 or 5. George was very gifted but, could be a cranky sort. He pitched a fit while the organ cyphered on him during a quiet number. I grew to understand that this instrument still lives in Florida, someplace. My wife, in profile photo, is very patient with me.
This organ lives in my Studio in Fort Myers FL - enlarged to 25 ranks of pipes - it is focal point on my studio. If you're ever in SW Florida - come see it!
What a wonderful time. Friday night's at the Avenue! San Bruno Avenue was very different from 2017 today. My partner and I made it a point to attend every Friday. We saw silents, 3D and early talkies. The 19 80's were so great. Like the other comments I stumbled across this posting by accident!
