Merv Griffin passed away today at age 82. I was always a very big fan of his. His talk show band was second to none with Ray Brown on bass and Mort Lindsay conducting. IMHO Merv was an excllent pianist and singer. Of course he really made his mark with the creation of Jeapordy and Wheel of Fortune. He will be missed.

Joe

------------------
Songman55
Joe Ayala

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21916

------------------
http://www.myspace.com/mychrisvalenti

Merv G was born about 20 miles up the street from me in San Mateo, went to high school there and like many of us was a gigging musician trying to get jumpstarted. he got his own band going and worked this area until he got a job at a local radio station and the rest is history. he is/was 6 years older then I am.
Bebop

He had the good sense to hire my mentor Ray Brown and others of his caliber. He appreciated outstanding musicians. A Class act!

R.

A cousin of my mother-in-law is married to a professional sax player ... he played with the Merv Griffin orch when the show was based in New York City ...
t.