Gesù Bambino,” composed by the illustrious Pietro Yon, is a melodic treasure that resonates with the warmth and nostalgia of my childhood Christmases. Each note of this enchanting piece takes me back to those magical days when the church choir’s voices would rise in harmony, filling the air with the spirit of the festive season. This song, a staple of my yuletide memories, holds a special place in my heart, reminiscent of the joy and wonder of Christmas celebrated in the hallowed halls of my childhood church.
Though it seemed a hidden gem, known primarily within the circles of my church community, “Gesù Bambino” has recently found a renaissance, emerging in piano books and gaining recognition. Its melody, crafted in the year 1917, has an ethereal quality that transcends time and place.
The song’s enchanting tune was brilliantly adapted by Frederick H. Martens in his English carol “When Blossoms Flowered ‘mid the Snows.” Its chorus, a harmonious blend of melody and lyrics, draws inspiration from the classic carol “Adeste Fideles” (O Come All Ye Faithful), weaving a tapestry of musical heritage and tradition. This fusion of melodies creates a piece that is both familiar and fresh, evoking a sense of time-honored tradition while offering a unique auditory experience.
“Gesù Bambino” is not just a song; it’s a musical journey that captures the essence of Christmas, weaving together the threads of nostalgia, tradition, and the universal joy of the holiday season. Its rising popularity is a testament to its timeless beauty and its ability to touch hearts, just as it has touched mine since childhood.
A piano version
Piano and Organ
Sung by David Archuleta and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
• 1728 ~ Franz Xaver Pokorny, Czech Classical era composer and violinist.
• 1783 ~ Padre Antonio Francisco Javier Jose Soler
• 1871 ~ Henry Kimball Hadley, American composer and conductor
• 1890 ~ Yvonne Arnaud, French-born pianist, singer and actress
• 1898 ~ Irene (Marie) Dunne, Actress in Show Boat, Anna and the King of Siam, Alternate Delegate to the United Nations, Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Achievement Award in 1985.
• 1909 ~ Vagn Holmboe, Danish composer and music critic
• 1920 ~ An English-born comedian named Leslie Downes became an American citizen. He had lived in the United States since 1908 and became one of the nation’s true ambassadors for show business and charity. We say, “Thanks for the memories,” to Bob Hope.
• 1928 ~ For the first time, a living actress in the United States had a theater named after her. The Ethel Barrymore Theatre opened in New York City.
• 1932 ~ Al Jolson recorded April Showers on Brunswick Records.
• 1938 ~ John Harbison, American composer and conductor
• 1944 ~ Bobby Colomby, Drummer, singer with Blood, Sweat & Tears
• 1948 ~ Little Stevie Wright, Singer with The Easybeats
• 1949 ~ Harry Belafonte had his second session with Capitol Records. Included in the session were Whispering and Farewell to Arms. With eight tunes then recorded and little enthusiasm from record buyers, Capitol decided to part company with Belafonte by not renewing the singer’s contract. He went to RCA Victor in April 1952.
• 1952 ~ Jimmy Boyd reached the #1 spot on the record charts with the Christmas song of the year, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.
• 1957 ~ Billy (Steven) Bragg, Songwriter, guitarist, singer
• 1966 ~ Chris Robinson, Singer with The Black Crowes
• 1972 ~ Jack Albertson and Sam Levine starred as two retired vaudevillians in Neil Simon’s classic comedy, The Sunshine Boys, which opened at the Broadhurst Theatre in NYC. The play had a run of 538 performances. The movie version later became a box office smash, as well.
• 1973 ~ Singer Bobby Darin passed away following open-heart surgery at the age of 37. He left a legacy of memories in rock ’n’ roll and pop tunes, as well as on television and in movies (even an Oscar nomination for his role in Captain Newman, M.D.). The story of Darin being groomed to replace Frank Sinatra at Capitol Records is absolutely true. Unfortunately, Capitol didn’t think the grooming was going so well and withheld many of Darin’s songs for many years; releasing them in a compilation CD in 1995. Good stuff to listen to: Splish Splash, Queen of the Hop, Dream Lover, Mack the Knife, Beyond the Sea, If I Werea Carpenter, etc. At the end, Darin, who had recorded for Atco, Capitol and Atlantic Records had just begun recording for Motown.
• 1980 ~ Shirley Temple Black became a grandmother. Her oldest daughter gave birth to a baby girl.
• 1982 ~ Artur Rubinstein, pianist (My Young Years), died at the age of 95
• 1999 ~ Hank Snow passed away
• 2000 ~ Roebuck “Pops” Staples, patriarch of the Staple Singers whose lyrics on “Respect Yourself” and other hits delivered a civil rights message with a danceable soul beat, passed away. “They took this really positive message music and made it contemporary and popular by putting it with electric guitars and inserting a groove,” said Sherman Wilmott, who is helping create a museum in Memphis, Tennessee, honoring the musical stars at Stax Records, the Staple Singers’ principal label. Born in Winona, Mississippi, Staples learned to sing acapella and developed his Delta blues electric guitar style. Starting out as a gospel group in 1948, the Staple Singers with son Pervis and daughters Mavis and Cleotha as singers reached an even wider audience with 1970s soul hits such as Respect Yourself,I’ll Take You There and If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me). Before achieving stardom, Staples resisted taking his family on tour and held jobs in Chicago’s stockyards and steel mills. Staples came to believe he could contribute in song to the battle for blacks’ civil rights being waged by the Rev. Martin Luther King and others, Wilmott said. “He sang and played guitar. He was extremely well- spoken and calm and intelligent,” he said. Another daughter, Yvonne, told the Tribune: “When Dr. King started preaching, Pops said ‘I think we can sing it.’ That’s what he felt,” she said. “He believed that the world could be made a better place for all of us.” At age 80, Staples won a Grammy Award as a solo artist in 1994 for his album “Father Father.” He also received a National Heritage Fellowship Award at the White House from first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. The group entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year. In a 1998 interview with the Tribune, Staples said his musical education began early. “We’d come home and didn’t have anything to do after we eat but go to bed. So we’d go out in the yard and sing.”
• 2000 ~ Rob Buck, lead guitarist for the rock band 10,000 Maniacs, died of liver failure at the age of 42, three weeks after he collapsed at his home in western New York.
• 2004 ~ Blues singer-guitarist Son Seals, one of the most distinctive voices to emerge in the genre during the 1970s, died at the age of 62. More information about Son Seals
• 2004 ~ Italian soprano Renata Tebaldi, one of the great post-World War II opera divas who Arturo Toscanini said had the “voice of an angel,” died at the age of 82. More information about Renata Tebaldi
The holiday season at the Company is a spellbinding time, completely enveloped in the enchanting world of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™. This production is a grand spectacle of artistry and imagination, a beloved holiday tradition that brings together an extraordinary ensemble of talent. With all 90 dancers, 62 musicians, 32 stagehands, and two casts of 50 young students each from the School of American Ballet, the Company transforms each performance into a mesmerizing experience.
Audiences, including children and adults from New York City and beyond, flock to the David H. Koch Theater, drawn by the irresistible allure of Tschaikovsky’s iconic music, Balanchine’s masterful choreography, Karinska’s lavish costumes, and Rouben Ter-Arutunian’s enchanting sets. This production, a magical adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas pere version of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s tale, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” is a full-scale theatrical marvel.
The production’s visual splendor is nothing short of breathtaking. The stage comes alive with elaborate elements and sophisticated lighting, creating an immersive world that captivates the imagination. One of the most stunning features is the one-ton Christmas tree that astoundingly grows from 12 feet to 40 feet, eliciting gasps of wonder from the audience at each performance. The whimsical Mother Ginger costume, weighing 85 pounds and spanning nine feet, and the delicate snowflakes that dance through the air add to the magic, making the ballet a visual feast.
However, it is Balanchine’s choreography that is the heart of the ballet, guiding the audience through a journey from the familiar to the fantastical. Act I sets the stage with its charming characters – the Stahlbaum children, Marie and Fritz, Herr Drosselmeier and his Nephew – and culminates in the dreamlike Snowflake Waltz. Act II is a complete immersion into the fantastical “Kingdom of the Sugarplum Fairy,” where the line between reality and fantasy beautifully blurs.
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ stands as one of the most complex and captivating staged ballets in the Company’s repertoire. Its immense popularity is a testament to its ability to ignite the holiday spirit in everyone’s heart, making it an integral and unforgettable part of the holiday season.
Despite its humble beginnings, where the original production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker did not immediately capture the public’s adoration, a remarkable transformation occurred over time. Tchaikovsky, with his masterful touch, crafted a 20-minute suite from the ballet’s music that soared in popularity, showcasing his genius in a new light. This suite became the beacon that eventually led to the ballet’s widespread acclaim.Despite its humble beginnings, where the original production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker did not immediately capture the public’s adoration, a remarkable transformation occurred over time. Tchaikovsky, with his masterful touch, crafted a 20-minute suite from the ballet’s music that soared in popularity, showcasing his genius in a new light. This suite became the beacon that eventually led to the ballet’s widespread acclaim.
From the late 1960s onwards, The Nutcracker underwent a renaissance, becoming a cherished staple of the holiday season. Its popularity skyrocketed, especially in North America, where it became synonymous with Christmas festivities. Today, The Nutcracker is an essential part of countless ballet companies’ repertoires, celebrated for its enchanting story and exquisite choreography.
The ballet’s commercial success is astounding, with major American ballet companies attributing approximately 40 percent of their annual ticket revenues to performances of The Nutcracker. This statistic alone speaks volumes about the ballet’s enduring appeal and its significant role in the cultural landscape of ballet and Christmas traditions alike.
Tchaikovsky’s score for The Nutcracker, with its lush, evocative melodies and intricate compositions, has risen to become one of his most renowned works. The pieces from the suite, in particular, have captivated audiences worldwide with their beauty and complexity, securing The Nutcracker’s place as not just a seasonal favorite, but a timeless masterpiece of classical music.
• 1888 ~ Fritz Reiner, Hungarian-born American conductor who was the musical director of the Pittsburgh Symphony, New York Metropolitan Opera and Chicago Symphony. He died in 1963
• 1915 ~ Edith Piaf (Edith Giovanna Gassion), French chanteuse and songwriter. The Little Sparrow” is regarded by many as France’s greatest female popular singer, Although she sang all her songs in French they were listened to around the world and recognized for the great voice she possessed. Her signature tune “La vie en rose” is our featured video today because even with the poor quality of recording it shows how talented she was.
• 1925 ~ ‘Little’ Jimmy Dickens, Country Music Hall of Famer
• 1928 ~ Galt MacDermot, Composer
• 1935 ~ Bobby Timmons, American jazz pianist
• 1940 ~ Phil Ochs, American folk singer, songwriter and guitarist
• 1941 ~ Maurice White, Singer, drummer, founder of the group Earth, Wind & Fire
• 1944 ~ Alvin Lee, Musician with Ten Years After
• 1944 ~ Zal Yanovsky, Guitarist, singer with The Lovin’ Spoonful
• 1952 ~ Jeff Davis, Bass with Amazing Rhythm Aces
• 1952 ~ Janie Fricke, Singer, Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year in 1982 and 1983
• 1957 ~ Meredith Willson’sThe Music Man opened at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. The Broadway show starred Robert Preston and had a run of 1,375 shows. It also had 76 trombones and 101 cornets in the band…
• 1960 ~ Neil Sedaka’s Calendar Girl was released on RCA Victor Records. The song became Sedaka’s fourth record to make the charts. Other hits from the guy who made money off of a love song for Carole King (Oh, Carol) include The Diary, Stairway to Heaven, Bad Girl, Next Door to an Angel, Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen, Laughter in the Rain and Breaking Up is Hard to Do.
• 1960 ~ Frank Sinatra recorded his first session with his very own record company. Frank did Ring-A-Ding-Ding and Let’s Fall in Love for Reprise Records.
• 2000 ~ Milt Hinton, a jazz bassist and photographer called “The Judge” by the jazz greats he worked with and photographed during a 70-year career, died at the age of 90. During his career, Hinton performed with almost every luminary of jazz and popular music, from Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane to Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and Paul McCartney. Hinton also documented his world with a camera, compiling close to 60,000 negatives depicting hundreds of jazz artists and popular musicians on the road, in the studio, backstage and at parties.
• 2001 ~ Bill Bissell, a former University of Washington marching band director who helped create “The Wave”, died in his sleep. He was 70. Bissell directed the Huskies’ band with flair, innovation and humor from 1970 until he retired in 1994. He and former Washington yell leader Robb Weller introduced “The Wave,” in which fans stand with arms raised and cheer section by section, to college football 20 years ago. Bissell directed halftime shows at 14 bowl games, including six Rose Bowls and an Orange Bowl, and was awarded a Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association in 1981.
• 2004 ~ Renata Tebaldi, Italian soprano, died at the age of 82
• 2015 ~ Kurt Masur, German conductor (New York Philharmonic), died at the age of 88
Johnny Marks, born on November 10, 1909, and passing on September 3, 1985, stands out as a remarkable figure in the American songwriting panorama. His legacy is particularly intriguing given that, despite being Jewish, Marks carved out a unique niche for himself as a master composer of Christmas music. His extraordinary talent in this domain led him to pen a series of holiday standards that have become ingrained in the Christmas culture and festivities across the globe.
Marks’ foray into the world of Yuletide melodies brought forth an array of songs that not only captured the essence of Christmas but also transcended cultural and religious boundaries. His work is a testament to the universal appeal of music and its power to unite people from diverse backgrounds in celebration and joy.
Among his numerous contributions, some of his most enduring and beloved songs include classics that have delighted generations and become synonymous with the holiday season. These songs not only showcase his exceptional skill as a composer but also reflect his ability to evoke the warm, festive spirit that characterizes Christmas.
Johnny Marks’ music continues to resonate deeply, filling homes with cheer every holiday season and securing his place as an iconic figure in the realm of Christmas music. His legacy is not just a collection of songs but a tapestry of festive joy and communal celebration, cherished by people of all ages and backgrounds.
“Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (a hit for Gene Autry and others)
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (a hit for Brenda Lee)
“A Holly Jolly Christmas” (recorded by the Quinto Sisters and later by Burl Ives)
“Good King Wenceslas,” a beloved Christmas carol, weaves a tale of kindness, courage, and humanity against a backdrop of a harsh winter. The carol narrates the story of a noble king, Wenceslas, who sets out to help a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen, braving the biting cold of a deep winter. The song captures the essence of selflessness, as King Wenceslas leads his page through the snowy terrain, his footprints providing a path and hope in the frigid weather. This inspiring narrative is drawn from the life of the real Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia, a figure known for his extraordinary kindness and revered in Czech history as Svatý Václav.
In 1853, the carol was given its poetic form by the English hymn writer John Mason Neale, with musical contributions from his editor, Thomas Helmore. It first appeared in “Carols for Christmas-Tide,” capturing the hearts of many. Neale’s lyrical adaptation was ingeniously set to the melody of a 13th-century spring carol, “Tempus adest floridum” (“The time is near for flowering”), which had been included in the 1582 Finnish collection “Piae Cantiones.”
“Good King Wenceslas” stands out not just as a carol but as a narrative that encapsulates the spirit of giving and the warmth of human kindness, resonating with the message of Christmas. The melody, rooted in history, and the lyrics, brimming with compassion, come together to form a timeless Christmas anthem that continues to inspire and uplift.
Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gath’ring winter fuel
“Hither, page, and stand by me
If thou know’st it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?”
“Sire, he lives a good league hence
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes’ fountain.”
“Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I will see him dine
When we bear him thither.”
Page and monarch forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind’s wild lament
And the bitter weather
“Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer.”
“Mark my foteps, my good page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter’s rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.”
In his master’s steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing
“We Three Kings”, also known as “We Three Kings of Orient Are” or “The Quest of the Magi”, is a Christmas carol written by the Reverend John Henry Hopkins, Jr., who wrote both the lyrics and the music.
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Prayer and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav’n replies
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
From Mannheim Steamroller, Chip Davis gives this song an “Arabian Nights” feel. A classic song that tells the story of the Gentiles who were quicker to recognize the significance of Christ’s birth than were His own people. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!
Words and music by William Harold Neidlinger (1863-1924), circa 1890. Neidlinger was a composer, conductor, organist at St. Michael’s Church, New York City, and voice teacher, but his main interest was working with retarded children, and he founded a school for this purpose in East Orange, N.J. Originally published in 1912 in Neidlinger’s native Brooklyn, the song has been popular ever since, particularly as a baritone solo, since it shows off the voice quite well and is not difficult to sing.
In the little village of Bethlehem,
There lay a Child one day;
And the sky was bright with a holy light
Over the place where Jesus lay.
Refrain Alleluia! O how the angels sang. Alleluia! How it rang! And the sky was bright with a holy light ‘Twas the birthday of a King.
‘Twas a humble birthplace,
But O how much God gave to us that day,
From the manger bed what a path has led,
What a perfect, holy way. Refrain
Beautiful song of God’s love for His creation.
Done beautifully by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.
He used the # in unusual places before Twitter… but how would Beethoven have used Facebook? And what would his profile look like? From his likes and dislikes to his friends and love interests, we’ve imagined what the composer might have posted online throughout his life.
• 1921 ~ Alan Freed, American disc jockey, who became internationally known as the man who coined the name “Rock and Roll” for the new style of African-American rhythm and blues music on the radio in the United States and Europe in the Fifties. He was also one of the guest Disc Jockeys on the European Radio Station “Radio Luxembourg” the show which he recorded in New York was the weekly half-hour segment of the Radio Luxembourg called Jamboree and was aired on Saturday nights at 9:30 PM and gained massive European following and a wider audience for the American rock and rollers Little Richard and Chuck Berry.
• 1939 ~ One of the most celebrated motion pictures of all time, Gone with the Wind, starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable was premiered in Atlanta to critical acclaim. The picture ran for close to four hours.
• 1941 ~ A musical standard was recorded this day on Victor Records. Lena Horne sang the torch classic that became her signature: Stormy Weather. “Don’t know why there’s no sun up in the sky. Stormy weather…”
• 1942 ~ Dave Clark, British rock drummer and singer
• 1943 ~ Fats (Thomas Wright) Waller died at the age of 39 from pneumonia. He was an American jazz pianist, organist, composer, singer, and comedic entertainer, whose innovations to the Harlem stride style laid the groundwork for modern jazz piano.
• 1944 ~ Glenn Miller passed away when his plane disappeared over the English Channel. Major Glenn Miller was on his way to lead his Air Force Band in a Christmas concert.
• 1954 ~ Davy Crockett, Indian Fighter was featured on Walt Disney’s TV series for the first time. Crockett was played by Fess Parker. It wasn’t long before the Davy Crockett craze brought a new number one song to the pop music charts. “Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier.”
• 1962 ~ The first record album to poke fun at a U.S. President became the #1 LP in the country. Vaughn Meader’sThe First Family made the humorist a household word. The album stayed at #1 for three months.
• 1984 ~ Jan Peerce passed away
• 1986 ~ Violinist Isaac Stern arrived in a horse-drawn carriage to cut the ribbon for the renovated Carnegie Hall in New York City.
• 1986 ~ Kenny Rogers cut himself a deal with the Dole Food Company. The singer became the highest-paid celebrity pitchman, ‘doling’ out nice words about pineapple and other Dole products for 17 million dollars.
• 2000 ~ Revered conjunto musician Valerio Longoria, who taught accordion to children in San Antonio for many years, died at the age of 76. Musicians and friends remembered the master accordionist as an innovator and influential stylist of conjunto music, a Texas-based rhythm fueled by the accordion and the bajo sexto, a 12-string Spanish bass guitar. As a teenager, Longoria played weddings and parties in Harlingen. In 1942, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and at the end of World War II was stationed in Germany, where he managed to get an accordion and play in nightclubs. In 1945, he moved to San Antonio, where he began recording for Corona Records. Longoria was among the first inductees into the Tejano Conjunto Music Hall of Fame in 1982, and in 1986 he received the National Heritage Award, the nation’s highest honor for folk artists.
• 2001 ~ Rufus Thomas, a musician whose Bear Cat helped Sun Records get its start and whose Funky Chicken gave a boost to the Stax Label, died at the age of 84. Rufus Thomas was best known for novelty dance recordings like Walking the Dog,Do the Funky Chicken and Push and Pull. He began tap dancing on the streets of Memphis for tips and performed in amateur shows in high school. In the 1940s, Thomas ran his own Beale Street amateur show that attracted B.B. King, Bobby “Blue” Bland and many other performers who went on to become famous. In his declining years, Thomas took on the title of Beale Street ambassador and liked to refer to himself as the world’s oldest teenager. In 1953, Thomas recorded Bear Cat, an answer to Big Mama Thornton’s Hound Dog, and it became Sun Record’s first hit. That was before Elvis Presley arrived on the scene to become Sun’s undisputed star. Thomas complained in later years that Sun’s black artists were pushed aside after Presley’s success. In the 1960s, Thomas became one of the founding performers for Stax Records, which created what came to be known as “the Memphis sound,” with performers like Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding and Sam and Dave.
• 2002 ~ John Crosby, founder and longtime former general director of the Santa Fe Opera, died in Rancho Mirage, Calif., after a brief illness. He was 76. Crosby founded the Santa Fe Opera in 1957 and was its general director until his retirement at the end of the 2000 season. After his military service during World War II, Crosby majored in music theory at Yale and studied under composer Paul Hindemith, whom Crosby later brought to Santa Fe for the 1961 U.S. premiere of Hindemith’s opera News of the Day. Crosby also had worked as a Broadway arranger and studied at Columbia University in New York before making his move to found an opera company in Santa Fe. With $200,000 in financing from his father, Crosby purchased a ranch seven miles north of Santa Fe and oversaw construction of a 480-seat, open-air theater. The inaugural performance July 3, 1957, was Puccini’sMadama Butterfly. With the participation of Igor Stravinsky, early Santa Fe seasons gained world attention. Stravinsky brought music to the 1957 through 1963 seasons. His last night as both conductor and general director was Aug. 24, 2000, when he led Richard Strauss’Elektra. Former President Bush presented Crosby a National Medal of Arts in 1991. He also received an Officer’s Cross of the Federal German Order of Merit in 1992 for his service to German music.
• 2002 ~ Rick Chase, a morning radio personality for KWIN-FM of Stockton, was found dead in his apartment. He was 45. Chase was best known for his work at KMEL-FM in San Francisco from 1986 to 1998. He also worked at KFRC-FM and KITS-FM in the Bay Area, KNVQ-FM in Reno and KZZO-FM in Sacramento. Chase, a 20-year radio veteran known to his listeners for his bombastic on-air personality, had worked at KWIN for two years.
• 2002 ~ Washington, DC Area: The storied history and sweeping skyline of US Airways Arena ended in a billowing cloud of dust Sunday morning as technicians reduced it to rubble with hundreds of pounds of dynamite. Almost 200 people, some of whom grew up watching sports and cultural events at the arena, gathered hundreds of yards away in the chill morning to say goodbye to the piece of 20th-century Washington’s history just outside the Capital Beltway. A shopping center will replace it. The arena began life in 1973 as the Capital Centre, a state-of-the-art architectural gem. In the ensuing decades, it housed the Washington Bullets basketball team and the Washington Capitals hockey team and held concerts by Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, the Rolling Stones, Luciano Pavarotti. “I remember seeing the Washington Bullets when they were really good and the Caps when they were really bad, as well as Prince and Tina Turner,” said Stewart Small, who grew up near the arena and now lives in Alexandria, Va. “I know it’s not Ebbets Field, but it had a lot of memories for me.” Crews used about 400 pounds of dynamite at 500 locations to do the job. In just over 15 seconds, the stadium that took 15 months to build caved into a cloud of light brown dust. Some in the crowd cheered, but most were silent. A few were teary-eyed as dust soared above where the 18,000-seat arena had stood. The arena opened Dec. 2, 1973, to a sellout crowd that watched the Bullets beat the Seattle SuperSonics 98-96. It has had no regular clients since the NBA Bullets, now Wizards, and the NHL Capitals moved to the MCI Center downtown.
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