Rosa Rio at the Tampa Theatre Wurlitzer Organ

[xpQ2ng]

she was the last real organist that played in the actual silent movie era. she played from the 30's till 2010 and she will be missed.

this is a great loss for the Tampa Theatre, the state of Florida, the U.S.A, and the whole world.

with this message I want to show my respect and condolences to this wonderfull, gracefull en talentfull lady.

may she rest in peace.

Rosa Rio...farewell, I hope you can play the Theatre Organ forever in heaven.

[michaelsmusicservice]

@wattever333 Hi! I shot the video in 2005 when I went down to tape some interviews with her and a few others at her house and the theatre and her favorite restaurant in Tampa. She died in May 2010 and you can see the short segment honoring her on CBS Sunday Morning in my videos list.

Thanks for your interest. Rosa was a one-of-a-kind.

Cheers!

Michael

[paulj0557]

She was a very active soap opera organist too for many years! The organists had little to go on and had to improvise based on script notes like ' ominous', or 'danger'. For a really enticing piece of tonal heaven listen to another soap opera organist John Winters( Young Widder Brown 38'- 56'/One Life To Live, sub from 56'-73') on the album ( I've posted here on youtube):

' Organ Moods - John Winters at the Mighty Wurlitzer ' side 1

' Organ Moods - John Winters at the Mighty Wurlitzer ' side 2

[StuartLou]

Rosa Rio- "and still playing". Not any more. Well, not here anyhow.

[realmacaw]

A great organist, a great teacher, and a great person. I studied with her in CT, as a teen, and I credit her with many of the performing skills she enabled me to acquire through showcase performances with the many theater and Hammond organ societies back in the 60's. I consider it a privilege to have known and to have learned from such a wonderful human being. No single person has demonstrated the endurance of this instrument, spanning through the centuries, as Rosa Rio.

[gillyyorkie1965]

Rest In Peace Rosa May 13'th 2010 was a sad day for Theatre Organ

[swabby429]

The soundtrack isn't working.

[cellodudex]

God bless you Rosa...what a star..rest in peace

[montre128]

Rest in peace, Rosa.

[521wurlitzer]

From the American Theatre Organ Society webpage: It is with great sadness that we announce that the incredible organist Rosa Rio has passed away just three weeks shy of her 108th birthday. Known as the "Queen of the Soaps" and having played professionally since the 1920's, she passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 13th at her home in Sun City, Florida, with her husband, Bill Yeoman at her side.

"

[bitts54]

God Bless you Rosa. To her husband Bill, my condolences. I was fortuante to take organ lessons from Rosa from 1966 to 1972. She was an amazing ladie and a wonderful teacher.

[beefnotfish]

Rosa Rio June 2, 1902- May 13, 2010... Amazing Amazing Amazing R.I.P

[AleZero2]

she's gone now..

[zipperfoot1]

We lost a national treasure......R.I.P. Rosa....

[decordan]

Rest in Peace...

[bmhall100]

RIP Rosa Rio 1902-2010

[utubesnamepolsux]

Tara Schroeder at TT is looking for clean footage of Rosa; you might want to give her a call; since she's prospecting Facebook looking for it, I assume you two haven't talked... and you probably should.

And if you need an editor for that project...

[RJMT14]

A book published several years ago described one character "playing the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ" in a southern movie theater. I wonder if Rosa Rio was the inspiration for the character? The organ and organist rose through the stage, exactly as shown here.

An amazing performance, an amazing woman!

[CraigFrancisSoto]

Che meravigliosa ! She's 103 yrs. old here. Absolutely astonishing ! Grazie mille Rosa !

[mtfradgal]

Wow!

[myrosegardengirl]

Rest in peace Rosa.

[skyzefawlun]

RIP Rosa, you will be missed, and always remembered.

[melfan1978]

Sadly, Rosa Rio passed away on May 13 at the age of 107 (she would have been 108 in June).....R.I.P.

[imcg110]

RIP Rosa!!

[korikay29]

She passed away today :(

[firefighter14530]

Rosa Rio 5/13/2010 May you rest in peace. The theatre organ world will not be the same without you. You will truly be missed!

[shorttim77]

R.I.P. Rosa!

[showroommeryll]

H organs make you stay young at heart :)

[wattever333]

she doesn't look 103.

[Shadowsniper689]

She's really 103 in this video? Wow, she doesn't even look 60. What an amazing woman - one of the last silent film organists. A living legend.

[Babejuda]

Brava! Great lady.

[Gillyyorkie]

some awesome lady!! if music be the fruit of love play on!

[surrealBe]

EXTRAORDINARY....!

[jazzkeyboardman]

Creepy sounding old organ....but a great performance. Didst thou know, the Tampa Theatre is haunted?

[michaelsmusicservice]

Yes, I know. I've used the upstairs restroom. ;)

[hotsickle]

mens or ladies??

[NorbertZF]

I wonder if she's in the Guiness Book of World Records? If not she should be! AMAZING! Then again music has that power to heal and make one healthy and happy. I'll bet that she was there playing back during the silent era in movies.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO! IT'S INSPIRATIONAL!

[jlneis]

Absolutely one of the most amazing performers I have ever seen. You can tell playing the pipe organ keeps her young, she is absolutely a pleasure and joy to watch!

[Diapasonic]

Bless her. I just chatted with Miss Rio this afternoon for over 30 minutes. She is a magnificent lady, personality, and has much to teach us all about life.

[KE5RHD]

I first heard of Rosa when I bought a Buster Keaton movie. It is The General and the description on the jacket says that the added music track is Rosa Ria on the organ. I take it in her heyday she did this professionally at large movie palaces.

[earlph]

No words left to put here. All done by others. One comment on an other video of here was pretty negative , but then again that person talks about the HAMMOND ORGAN in Blackpool.. O well. fools will be fools.. Wish I could play like here, but I am only 53 years so an other 50 years perhaps ?

[michaelsmusicservice]

The manager and staff at the Tampa Theatre are the most friendly, willing, and easiest to work with I have ever seen. I feel sure they would let you play this fine organ if you asked them.

[jimmie19481]

@michaelsmusicservice Nice to know that the staff at the theater is accommodating etc. Many times, these installations are guarded by an organ society etc. and no one is allowed to come close to them. As a prof. organist myself, I'd welcome the opportunity to play this fine instrument some time. If you have a contact person and a number, please share. Thanks.

[michaelsmusicservice]

@jimmie19481 You'll find contact info at tampatheatre dot o rg. They'll help you out.

[roscogamlee1]

@jimmie19481 myself, being the son of the Tampa's President and CEO, I rode that organ up and down more times than i can count. I remember vividly when I first was able to touch the floor pedals. :)

RIP, Rosa. We miss you.

[3dwurli]

@earlph Hammond organ in blakpool?!

[theatreorganman]

Not only is Rosa a legend in the world of theatre organ, she is an equally talented pianist and arranger. She has brought true star quality to the theatre organ world, she's the "Gloria Swanson of the Console"!

[slowdog294]

I was there when Rosa played this. I also hugged her after the show. Yup, that Rosa is a real goer and a fine lady to boot. The queen of the TPO!

[wrighty205]

Agree totally wuri815, she is amazing, as is Bob. It is really great to see her still tinkling those ivories at the grand age of 105, and nice to know she isn't standoffish like some organists I have met.

[wurli815]

Rosa is just plain amazing. As far as I know, there are only two original theatre organists still around and playing - Rosa Rio and Bob Mitchel. I met Rosa a number of years ago when she played a concert for our local theatre organ society and she was a real sweetheart. Keep playing Rosa - we all love you!