No more Alan

[Rajah]

We noticed when we were at DL that Alan was no longer playing with Rod. I asked on Laughing Place (didn't want to interrupt), and someone there said he's left to pursue other things. I thought that was really sad and we missed the four-hand piano.

Just thought in case anyone else was looking for Alan playing with Rod, apparently it won't happen any more.

I wonder what happened? Did he just get bored? Did he and Rod have an argument and couldn't work together any more? Alan had a lot of talent and I hate to hear he's abandoned it.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>Would you believe that all the times that we went to Disneyland, we've only seen Rod at the piano? I didn't even know that Alan played with him (except for the cd's I saw).

I'm glad you were able to experience the four-hand show. That would have been good music to listen to, I think.

 

[Rajah]

They still had a CD featuring both. It's a great CD and I was wishing they'd release another, but I guess that's not going to happen.

 

[Horizons16]

what is going on here!

Whos Alan and Rod???

~Steve???

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color=navy>Steve,

Rod Miller is very popular among the locals, and those who visit Disneyland regularly. At the end of Main Street, there is a place called Coke Corner (or Refreshment Corner in the guidebook), and in the afternoon, Rod plays the piano - kind of ragtop/jazz versions of many songs, Disney and other. He is a joy to listen to. I guess he used to have a partner named Alan, who would play with him - four hands, as Rajah calls it.

Rod is the friendliest person, and if he notices you're taking a picture, will try and pose so you get a good pic - a real sweetheart. Also - he's always smiling when I see him. He's been playing for years - I think I read 20, but I'm not sure.

Here are a couple of pics I took of Rod on the 16th when we were there. The first pic is with flash, and that about blinded him (heh), and so I took the second without flash.

<img width=400 src=http://www.usa-ezweb.com/maryjomw/img1076.jpg>

<img width=400 src=http://www.usa-ezweb.com/maryjomw/img1077.jpg>

 

[Rajah]

Actually, he's been playing *at Disneyland* for almost 36 years, if I remember correctly! I know it's over 34 because it was 30+ years 4 years ago.

And, here's a picture taken about 3 years ago of Rod and Alan at the piano. Alan used to join Rod on I think Friday and Saturday nights. I know at least Saturday nights.

I'm not happy with Alan for leaving.

 

[Rajah]

MaryJo -- I just noticed that you also caught "Trevor" (??) in your pictures in the background.

That was the guy wearing the costume (someone on LP called it a Zoot Suit? Is that what a zoot suit is?) who would swing dance and, if you saw him, did the Russian dance. Really cool guy as well. I'm still trying to figure out if he's "official" or not. I think not. I think he's just a CM off-duty who's having fun in his off-duty hours and entertaining others in the process.

I also *think* that one of the guys at the table on the other side of Alan there is an Imagineer -- he was wearing a Disney Imagineering T-shirt. I was too shy to ask, though. In some ways I wish I had, because it would have been neat to actually talk to an imagineer.

 

[princessKT]

I love that guy! haha One time he tried to get me to sing along with him. It's nice to know his name

I always make it a point to get a snack (usually ice cream from the parlor and I bring it down) and sit and listen to him.

 

[Lynn-Marie]

Some pin trading friends of mine hang out with Rod at the end of just about every night they're there. They said Rod was at DL when Walt was! (I imagine he must have been very young!) Can you imagine Walt sitting down to enjoy Rod's music like we do today? What a kick!

 

[Rajah]

It's so cool to sit at Rod's piano and enjoy his music.

I *swear* he recognizes people who actually return and return to his piano. There was definite recognition when DH and I sat down (and then when I jumped up to the piano to lean against the back -- that's actually when he recognized us). I think he probably remembers every face to lean against his piano, at least in the past several years.

I don't think Rod was playing when Walt was around, because according to the mini-biography on the four-hand-piano page for his CD, it says he didn't start playing at Disneyland until '69, but did arrive in California in 66, so I think he *knew* Walt, but wasn't officially playing then.

 

[Horizons16]

ooh ok thanks for that... just wanted to make sure i wasnt missing something i should have known since i have never been there...

~Steve

 

[Tommy_B]

Interesting thread from 2002 that "Alan wasn't playing with Rod anymore", since there are a lot of videos on YouTube of Alan (Alan Thompson, Jr.) and Rod Miller playing four handed well after 2002 and there is a YouTube video, a great 10 minute one of Alan playing in January of this year. Rod retired in 2006, but there is also a video there of Rod & Alan playing in Feb. 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL34BfTA6gU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdXo6Suu4lM&feature=related

 

[Disney Dreams]

Why are we bumping an 8 year old thread?

 

[Tommy_B]

Why are we bumping an 8 year old thread?

You didn't read the post right above you would be my guess.....

 

[Disney Dreams]

You didn't read the post right above you would be my guess.....

Ummm.... I did in fact read it - and the entire thread. Still didn't know why. Was there a question I missed?

 

[heatherleigh]

Because he thought it was interesting and pointed out that this musician was, indeed, still playing contrary to what people speculated in the thread.

 

[Tommy_B]

Because he thought it was interesting and pointed out that this musician was, indeed, still playing contrary to what people speculated in the thread.

Yes, precisely.