Artists Pay Tribute To MARVIN HAMLISCH.

 

A host of some of the most talented artists around today have paid tribute to music composing legend Marvin Hamlisch, and Barbra Streisand has spoken of her devastation at the loss of her “dear friend“, who died on Monday (6th July, 2012) in Los Angeles aged 68.

 

The award-winning composer wrote more than 40 film scores, including ‘The Way We Were‘, in which Streisand starred. She said:

“He was a true musical genius, but above all that, he was a beautiful human being. I will truly miss him.

“He’s been in my life ever since the first day I met him in 1963, when he was my rehearsal pianist for Funny Girl. He played at my wedding in 1998 and recently for me at a benefit for women’s heart disease.

“The world will remember Marvin for his brilliant musical accomplishments, from A Chorus Line to The Way We Were, but when I think of him now, it was his brilliantly quick mind, his generosity, and delicious sense of humour that made him a delight to be around.”

 

Hamlisch scooped Oscars for Best Original Dramatic Score and Best Original Song and Best Original Score/Adaptation for ‘The Sting‘ in 1974, and he has also won four Emmys, a Tony and three Golden Globes.

 

Liza Minnelli also paid tribute to the composer, who had been her best friend since she was 13 years old and had arranged all her albums. She said:

“He was one of the funniest people I knew. I will miss his talent, our laughter and friendship, but mostly I will miss Marvin.

“I have lost my first lifelong best friend, and sadly we have lost a splendid, splendid talent.”

 

Even the U.S. former First Lady Nancy Reagan said she was shocked by his death.

“Marvin Hamlisch was a dear friend and I am truly stunned by his death at such a young age,” Reagan said.

“I heard him say once that he was ‘old fashioned’ and I suppose that’s why Ronnie and I were so drawn to him, but I don’t think you could ever find a more contemporary and talented musician.

“During our time at the White House, he entertained at many events – he even let me sing with him a few times, but luckily his piano music drowned out my voice!

“And I’ll never forget that he wrote a special song for Ronnie’s surprise 77th birthday party in 1988.”

 

A family spokesman, Jason Lee, declined to give details on the death, but he did say that Hamlisch died on Monday (6th August, 2012) after a brief illness.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Terre.