KSDK STORY AND VIDEO Fox Theatre Tribute
Former
concert organist and television star Stan Kann has died at St. Louis University
Hospital. He was 83-years-old.
Kann began his performing career at Washington University where he played the
organ. He went on to become the best known concert organist in North
America. Kann played the Fox Theatre for 22 years before moving to Los
Angeles in 1975. Before the move, he appeared on the local program,
"Charlotte Peter's Show." Following that, Kann co-hosted The
Noon Show with Marty Bronson. For that work, he received the Silver Circle Award
from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 1997 and the Avis
Blewett Award in 2001. Kann was inducted into the ATOS Hall of Fame in 1999 and
was named ATOS Organist of the Year for 2003. Kann was also well known for
his comedy. He appeared 77 times on "The Tonight Show" and 89 times on
the "Mike Douglas" show as well as dozens of other programs. Kann was
also known as an enthusiastic collector of vacuums. A memorial service is being
planned to take place at the Fox Theatre. More information will follow. A Stan
Kann Scholarship Fund is being established to encourage and promote young
theatre organ talent. Contributions can be sent to the fund in care of the Fox
Theatre - 539 North Grand Boulevard - St Louis MO 63103. Stan Kann known to many
as the guy with all the gadgets that don't work from his 77 visits to the
"Tonight Show with Johnny Carson".
For the rest of us it's been his ability at the Theatre Pipe Organ.
Stan Kann and Pat (Peters) Schwarts, the daughter of Charlotte Peters. |
Stan most known for his years at the Fox
Theatre was also on Saint Louis TV. Most remembered was the Charlotte
Peters Show. But her daughter, Pat Schwartz, owner of " Charlotte's Rib",
is shown with Stan after Stan returned from LA. Les Hickory, (Webmaster
for this site) arranged a reunion after 25 plus years. Pat is very much
like her mother. The restaurant that was on Manchester road was closed and
the business moved to a new location on Clayton Road and Pat's daughter
now runs the business.
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The interest and love that Saint Louis has for Stan give him many opportunities to be the subject of newspaper articles, interviews on radio and the subject for television. KETC, Public Television in Saint Louis, has won many awards for it's production "Living In Saint Louis". By special arrangement with KETC, we are proud to present three (3) programs produced by KETC about or that contain Stan Kann. The direct link will open your "Windows Media Player". Close the player after you view the program. For more information about Saint Louis's award winning Public Television Station , click on the KETC Logo.
Stan Kann at the Fox Theatre's Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ Photo by Les Hickory |
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Stan Kann
and His Vacuum Cleaner Collection -- Stan Kann
The Fox Organ ------------------------- Fox
Theatre's 75 Anniversary --------------------- |
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