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15.
Showtime at 5:00
My partner Rob Tackes and I met in
Evanston, Illinois on April 17, 1959. We lived in the
Chicago area until June 1970, when we moved to San
Francisco in search of warmer weather. Then 35 years
later we began searching for even warmer weather and
found the Palm Springs area. After buying a condo in
Cathedral City in January 2005, we settled here
full-time the following year. We have lived in our Palm
Springs home since the summer of 2007.
In April 2009 we threw a big shindig to celebrate our
50th anniversary of living and loving together. Over 100
guests came to the party, including many singers,
actors, pianists and conductors with whom I had worked
since arriving in the desert. So it turned out to be not
only a golden opportunity to celebrate Rob's and my 50th, but
also a wonderful chance for me to thank my colleagues in the arts.
A number of entertainers rehearsed with pianist Charlie
Creasy before the party and then sang at the event.
Following are recordings of four of the performances.
Bravo to everyone! |
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Jerome Elliott
"If
We Only Have Love"
Composed by J. Brel, E. Blau & M.
Shuman, 1968.
Performed at the home of Rob & Denis, April 2009. |
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"If we only have love
We can melt all the guns,
And then give the new world
To our daughters and sons."
This moving anthem from Jacques Brel Is Alive and
Well and Living in Paris mirrors the era of the
idealistic 60s with its yearning for love and world
peace. Soon after arriving in California in 1970, I
arranged the song as the finale for my first
professional stage production in San Francisco,
Spoonful of Sugar. Many years later Jerome
Elliott learned that the song has special meaning
for Rob and me, so he surprised us by performing the
work at our party, accompanied by Charlie Creasy. |
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Jose Sarria
"I Wonder Who's Kissing Him Now"
Composed by W.M. Hough, F.R. Adams,
J.E. Howard & H. Orlob, 1909.
Performed at the home of Rob & Denis, April 2009. Jose
Sarria is known internationally for his pioneering work
in show business and politics. He was a well-known
entertainer at The Black Cat for many years and
was the first openly gay men to run for public office in
San Francisco. He founded the gay court system, serving
as Empress Jose I. In his alter ego life he also becomes
"The Widow Norton." Jose has been a life-long fighter
for the rights of gays and lesbians in our society. He
currently lives in Cathedral City and still travels
extensively to foster LGBT activities. |
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Vicki Knight
"More Than You Know"
Composed by B. Rose, E. Eliscu & V.
Youmans, 1929.
Arranged by D. Moreen.
Performed at
the home of Rob & Denis, April 2009.
Vicki Knight is a consummate entertainer,
well-known to audiences in the Palm
Springs area for many years. I arranged
this song for Vicki to sing in
Inka Dinka Doo! and it's been a
part of her repertoire ever since. |
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Denis Moreen
"Dream Moment"
Arranged by D. Moreen, 2009.
Performed at the home of Rob & Denis, April 2009.
This arrangement is a mix of two songs which have
special meaning for Rob and me: "It Only Takes a Moment"
and "Everything's Coming Up Roses." At the party,
Charlie Creasy provided a lovely piano accompaniment,
giving me a chance to sing for a change.
The words say everything I need to say. Here's to many
more! |
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