It is wonderful to hear Crooks speaking. This is an important document, especially since it was recorded only two years before he died. I met him at his home in Portola Valley, California, on December 31, 1969. He had battled cancer for several years and, fortunately, was hanging on. He had essentially stopped singing by this time. There are a few rare recordings of him singing at special occasions, as late as 1968, long after he had officially retired. He was a very warm and gracious man.
I meant to say my friend told me the story in the 60's but no I think it happened probably way before that and I am sure it's true but Crooks asked him the loaded question "do you like Crooks" He just did not know it was him at all. No Cell phones then or he never would have met Crooks!
He is under rated today. A late older friend of mine in the 60's had a car breakdown on his way to Vegas from Los Angeles many years ago. It was hot desert and he was stranded (and a Crooks fan) soon a big car with a driver came and in the back seat an older man who asked if he wanted a ride to a service station he got in and somehow the conversation turned to opera, the older man asked if he liked Crooks! He then discovered the man knew a lot about Crooks and yes it was Crooks! Lucky day
It is wonderful to hear Crooks speaking. This is an important document, especially since it was recorded only two years before he died. I met him at his home in Portola Valley, California, on December 31, 1969. He had battled cancer for several years and, fortunately, was hanging on. He had essentially stopped singing by this time. There are a few rare recordings of him singing at special occasions, as late as 1968, long after he had officially retired. He was a very warm and gracious man.
sallyrob101 1 year ago
Thank you so much for posting this - a great tenor, and a delightful man ;)
ashbyjay 1 year ago
well if he was on a tv show at the farewell to the old Met, it must be somewhere. perhaps the Met has it!
ciroalb3 1 year ago
@ciroalb3 I HAVE SEARCHED FOR THAT FILM FOR MANY YEARS. IT WILL END UP BEING "LOST", AS THEY LIKE TO CALL IT, BUT IT MAY SHOW UP ONE DAY
TFL2
TAUBERFANLEHAR2 1 year ago
Hope you post him singing theme song from Firestone show he did a great job on that.
halavey 2 years ago
I meant to say my friend told me the story in the 60's but no I think it happened probably way before that and I am sure it's true but Crooks asked him the loaded question "do you like Crooks" He just did not know it was him at all. No Cell phones then or he never would have met Crooks!
halavey 2 years ago
He is under rated today. A late older friend of mine in the 60's had a car breakdown on his way to Vegas from Los Angeles many years ago. It was hot desert and he was stranded (and a Crooks fan) soon a big car with a driver came and in the back seat an older man who asked if he wanted a ride to a service station he got in and somehow the conversation turned to opera, the older man asked if he liked Crooks! He then discovered the man knew a lot about Crooks and yes it was Crooks! Lucky day
halavey 2 years ago
A little hard to hear but very interesting; thanks.
VinylToVideo 2 years ago
His speaking voice sounds exactly the same at age 70.
VinylToVideo 2 years ago