Gonna miss this one of a kind theatre organist, new face of 1952, great musician, railroader and friend...peace be with you, Kay. Thanks for all the memories!
With the passing of Kay today, it is great to have this video to listen to and watch. It is hard to think he is not with use anymore. May God bless him.
At 1:17pm Jan 8, Kay's neice told that Kay passed away about 45 minutes ago. Kay is also represented in an interview with Jack Moelmann, watch?v=BDJG-66C30E on Youtube.
I got this great comment via email, but it's longer than allowed so I'll divide it into multiple comments: What a pleasant surprise this video is for me. I met Kay when I was in High School and the reason for my good fortune was the fact that I grew up in Racine, Wisconsin and know Fred Hermes very well. I was one of the crew to help install the Wurlitzer in his basement as a teenager and met many of the "Greats" in Theater Organ circles.
Among them were John Muri, Thomas Sheen, Kay McAbee, John Seng and others who regularly visited Fred's home. Kay's signature piece was of course "The Land of the Pharaohs." He played Tico-Tico faster and more accurately than anyone else I can remember.
When I go back to Wisconsin Fred and I always go to eat and I make a visit to his home. My wife flipped when she saw Hermes Bijou for the first time.
A sort of light organ I imagine. It does stop when the music stops and starts as the playing starts but doesn't seem to respond to the music other than that. I'd like to know how it works. Thanks so much for the oportunity to even know about this gadjet. Always a pleasure to hear Kay play.
Gonna miss this one of a kind theatre organist, new face of 1952, great musician, railroader and friend...peace be with you, Kay. Thanks for all the memories!
sammee6602 1 month ago
With the passing of Kay today, it is great to have this video to listen to and watch. It is hard to think he is not with use anymore. May God bless him.
musician518 1 month ago
At 1:17pm Jan 8, Kay's neice told that Kay passed away about 45 minutes ago. Kay is also represented in an interview with Jack Moelmann, watch?v=BDJG-66C30E on Youtube.
michaelsmusicservice 1 month ago
Today he left us 8/1/2012 Kay; RIP
three37 1 month ago
I got this great comment via email, but it's longer than allowed so I'll divide it into multiple comments: What a pleasant surprise this video is for me. I met Kay when I was in High School and the reason for my good fortune was the fact that I grew up in Racine, Wisconsin and know Fred Hermes very well. I was one of the crew to help install the Wurlitzer in his basement as a teenager and met many of the "Greats" in Theater Organ circles.
michaelsmusicservice 2 months ago
Among them were John Muri, Thomas Sheen, Kay McAbee, John Seng and others who regularly visited Fred's home. Kay's signature piece was of course "The Land of the Pharaohs." He played Tico-Tico faster and more accurately than anyone else I can remember.
When I go back to Wisconsin Fred and I always go to eat and I make a visit to his home. My wife flipped when she saw Hermes Bijou for the first time.
Thank you very much for posting this.
michaelsmusicservice 2 months ago
@michaelsmusicservice
Thanks so much for posting this!!!
sammee6602 1 month ago
Incredible artistry both with the music and the light show. Never heard of a Brenograph but am going to check them out!
piano881000 3 months ago
It's so good to see an old Master such as Kay actually playing. Many thanks.
Fergophone 1 year ago
A sort of light organ I imagine. It does stop when the music stops and starts as the playing starts but doesn't seem to respond to the music other than that. I'd like to know how it works. Thanks so much for the oportunity to even know about this gadjet. Always a pleasure to hear Kay play.
edonmusic 1 year ago
@edonmusic Its called a Brenograph, and many theatres/cinemas had them. Some still do, but are in need of restoration.
3dwurli 3 months ago
So glad you put this video online. It is wonderful to hear and see Kay and the Brenograph.
kiwiplant 1 year ago