My name is Steve Bonner raised in Brooklyn New York. I am 69 years old now it is September 10, 2024. I saw Brad Joe both at Carnegie Hall Christmas week of 1972 and also at Filmore East he made the stand up on the back of my neck it was awesome, he will truly be missed
I had a great good pleasure of seeing Virgil Fox at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta in either 1977 or 1978. It was the very beginning of Dec and at the end of his concert he wanted us all to sing the third verse of “O come all ye faithful” to kick off the Christmas season. What a marvelous performer he was and also a devoted Christian.
I've never commented before, but must, upon hearing the Great Prelude and Fugue in A Minor*****played at that lighting tempo and thrilling registration. Bach would have loved to have heard that. It is to me the BEST performance of that piece I've ever heard, including (if I may be heretical a moment) ...including the performances I heard by Virgil Fox himself. The best.
Well, I admit I got a laugh today as I remembered Virgil yelling out the proper beat to the conductor in the performance of the "Jongen". To tell you the truth,I was never quite sure whether he was doing that for his own benefit or if it was intended for the Conductor. I never dared ask him but today I saw it again as I watched the video. I know he had to yell out the beat to Arthur Fiedler along with some additional instruction as Arthur was having trouble understanding. Finally in exasperation Virgil just yelled, "Count damn it,,just count" God bless him.
I had the wonderful privilege of being at two of Virgil Fox's organ concert dedications many years ago. One at The Free Baptist Church in Springvale Maine, and another church in Portsmouth New Hampshire, and both were spectacular! This man was a flamboyant entertainer plus a genius at the keyboard. I'm sure he's playing the pipes for the Saints in Heaven. We miss you Mr. Fox.
When Virgil was performing within a 125 mile radius of my hometown, I was there! I sat in awe each and every time I heard him. In the late 1980s I had Virgil scheduled to perform a concert at The Second Presbyterian Church in Portsmouth, Ohio where I served as Organist/Choir director. I had the pleasure of speaking with him on the phone to coordinate the concert. Unfortunately, he passed before the scheduled date. John Obetz performed that concert. Virgil Fox was my inspiration for my own style of organ playing.
Many thanks for this wonderful tribute. I first heard Virgil Fox in concert in April, 1964, at Westside Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, New Jersey. It was for me a life changing event. Virgil's love for the music was incredible, and he was graced with the incredible gift of communicating with the audience in such a way that he moved us into the music, lifted our spirits and filled us with joy. I traveled all over the place to hear him and am eternally grateful for the opportunity given me. It is more than 40 years since he passed away, but not a day passes where I don't think of him and the gift he shared so enthusiastically with all of us. Virgil always played from the heart, and his artistry always hit home. How blessed we were to have Virgil Fox with us, and how lucky we are to have numerous recordings that archive his outstanding artistry.
Grand memories. While I appreciate the attempt of these men to give renditions, no one has ever or will ever capture that high was Virgil. He was a lifelong friend of my beloved grandmother, and I was so privileged to be able to hear him play…in person many times. Even lucky enough to be with my grandmother as we visit d him at his home in the east to hear and see him play the grand organ he had built into his home….RIP Virgil and Nell and enjoy each other into eternity ♥️♥️
Virgil plays on.......I shall never forget attending a organ concert given by Virgil in his unique style and talent like no other. His artistry rocked the hall and lifted your spirit higher then ever before. All I can say is that he was fantastic and he lives on in my heart and soul!!! Thank you Virgil Fox! We’ll meet again!
Many memories. In person, he was quite the character. Read the book "The Dish" and although it has been called pure fiction, I can attest to the antics that occurred when at a diner.
You need to read "The Secret Life of Virgil Fox". You will be shocked at the REAL Virgil Fox that you never saw. The Dish was a Crock of mert meant to hurt and it did. Virgil deserved it I suppose after all he only provided 99.9%of their entire income for many years, funds they earned and funds they took and I suppose that was not enough.
Since you claim to have been present to witness the "antics" may I presume you were participating in creating them.! Was it just to set him up for the usual gay gabbing about him later on at a boring dinner party or at some free organ concert to help entertain the 20 people (generally relatives) that might attend.? Try getting the truth, told by Virgil in the book he wanted me to write.
The video copy I watched opened several moments in, of Virgil playing in Tokyo in NHK Auditorium on their resident pipe organ. It is not electronic and the credit may have been omitted on my copy. So,hope this clears ay confusion.
