Please be advised that this it not the real Tom Lehrer running the show here. This is simply a tribute page, with the hopes of perhaps spreading the songs of Mr. Lehrer to future generations, introducing him to new people, and giving some old fans a bit of nostalgia, and I've tried to make this page as comprehensive as possible. Me? I'm simply an avid fan of his and player of his music. If you would, for whatever set of bizarre circumstances, like to see who's behind this... fiasco, visit me here.
Announcer: "I should like to introduce now the featured artist of this evening's... ordeal. I'm sure that you will all agree without any hesitation that Tom Lehrer is the most brilliant creative genius that America has produced in almost 200 years, so perhaps a few words of biographical background might not be amiss. Endowed by nature with perhaps the most glorious baritone voice to be heard on an American stage since the memorable concert debut in 1835 of Millard Fillmore; endowed also with twelve incredibly agile fingers; Mr. Lehrer has had a long and varied career in the field of entertainment starting with nine years at Harvard University, where it was that he first decided to devote his life to what has since become a rather successful scientific project - namely, the attempt to prolong adolescence beyond all previous limits.
Even before he came to Harvard, however, he was well known in academic circles for his masterly translation into Latin of "The Wizard of Oz", which remains even today the standard Latin version of that work. A few years ago he was inducted... forcibly... into the United States Army and spent most of his indenture in Washington as sort of Army liaison to the Office of Naval Contemplation. About his service record, he is justifiably modest, but it is known that in a short time he rose to the rank of Brigadier General. However, before he could acquire a tenure, he was discharged, and owing to nepotism and intrigue, he emerged with only the rank of Specialist 3rd Class, which was roughly equivalent to the rank of Corporal without Portfolio.
But to return to his career in show business, for several years he toured vaudeville theaters with an act consisting of impressions of people in the last throes of various diseases. I'm sure that many of you here tonight still recall with pleasure his memorable diphtheria imitation. He is generally acknowledged to be the dean of living American composers, and is currently working on a musical comedy based on the life of Adolph Hitler. Without further ado - Tom Lehrer..."
(The Announcer sits down at the piano, revealing himself to be Tom)
"You'd be amazed at the money we save that way."
Links:
The Math Concert
Interested in seeing Tom Lehrer in action? This is a video of Tom Lehrer performing four or five math songs at some kind of lecture. The Physical Revue
A neat page dedicated to a show put on by Tom Lehrer (and several other Harvard folk). Includes a few downloadable songs. I'd think it's some of the earliest recordings of Tom Lehrer available.
Bright Tom Lehrer Days
A all around website dedicated to Tom Lehrer
Tom Lehrer on Wikipedia
Wikipedia's take on Tom Lehrer, his life and his music
Tom Lehrer's Lyrics
A great page with the lyrics to just about every Tom Lehrer song ever written, along with annotations. The Elements
"The Elements" song set to animation, in one of the most recognizable flash videos in existence.
Tom Lehrer on YouTube:
Tom Lehrer Wisdom Channel
An incredible compilation of extremely rare video footage of Tom himself performing. Includes such... hits as "The Vatican Rag", "The Masochism Tango", and "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park". Tom Lehrer Wisdom Channel Support Page
A companion site to the Tom Lehrer Wisdom Channel on YouTube, with information about the Channel itself, and some very nice links. Poisoning Pigeons in the Park
Perhaps the most recent video of Mr. Lehrer performing. I Got it from Agnes
From the The Michael Parkinson Show in 1980.
Also, if you did not enjoy these songs, you certainly will not enjoy that the words and music of most of Mr. Lehrer's songs (including all songs featured in the revue Tomfoolery) can be found here: Too Many Songs by Tom Lehrer
Hey Lehrer fans, Spectrum Culture has a fantastic retrospective on Mr. Lehrer's first couple albums. It's detailed, well written and in keeping with the spirit and feel of Mr. Lehrer's humor.
Hi Tom, Great to have you as a friend!! Best wishes, Mike (Brett Huckfield's promo team). PS Please check out Brett's debut release 'Here Again' (available on iTunes, Amazon, Napster etc.) Hope you enjoy the music!!
HAHAHA ... Thanks for the add. I've been a Lehrer fan since 1965 ... back when God was a boy! I've also been a singer and an actor most of my life, and I can tell you this: there is nothing more satisfying than performing an evening of serious music for a large audience, and then ... without any warning or introduction ... just seriously moving into "Poisoning Pigeons ..." or "I Hold Your Hand In Mine" ... LOL. You can do an entire evening of serious stuff, but what will the audience remember? The Lehrer gem you slipped in on them unexpectedly.
Thank you so much for the add. I heard Tom Lehrer for the first time when I was 9 years old. I've never been the same since! Many a truth is said in jest and Tom was the master.
Thank you for the add. Thank you for keeping the music alive. Tom Lehrer composed on his "88 string guitar" the cleverest songs ever recorded. His wit, social conscience and talent are unprecedented!
Why is everyone talking about "the memory of Tom Lehrer"??? Did I miss something? He did NOT die...right?? Please tell me I'm right and everyone else is nuts! Also, I vote for L-Y!
Tom - One weekend in January of 1971, you were kind enough to answer a phone call from a 19-year-old fan, and allowed him to invite himself to your house to meet you.
You had just bought one of the first "drum machines" I'd ever seen. You sat at your piano and played along with it, while I sat there, well, in awe! I remember asking you when (or if) you'd be recording a fourth album. Your reply: "Someday it’ll be time for another album, and I suppose then I’ll do it.”
Well, maybe the album didn't happen all at once, but over time the songs came out...and they continue to provide fun mixed with commentary in your unique style!
For the past 30 years I've been producing network radio shows in Los Angeles, including a few years working with Dr. Demento.
But your [bemused] tolerance for a kid who called you that day out of the blue still means a lot to me, and always will.
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