Virgil Fox (The Dish): An Irreverent Biography of the Great American Organist [Paperback]

Marshall Yaeger (Author), Richard Torrence (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 3, 2001

A spicy biography of the late Virgil Fox (-), who was the most successful and famous organist in history. Prepared by the organists managers for years, the book is based on a -page memoir of Foxs artistic heir and protg, Ted Alan Worth, with contributions by other associates and students who knew Fox intimately.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fascinating and beautifully-produced masterpiece." -- The Clarion, September, 2001

"An outstanding and definitive portrait of a master artist and his circle." -- The American Organist, October, 2001

"Long-awaited...enough...tidbits to keep Fox fans between the covers for several days...fascinating...poignant...will surely bring tears." -- Theatre Organ, October, 2001

From the Publisher

Based on a memoir by Ted Alan Worth

Contributions by William T. Armstrong, M.D., Marilyn Brennan (photo editor), Louise Clary, Andrew Crow, Carlo Curley, Steven Frank, Robert Fry, Albert Fuller, Robert Hebble, David Jonathan Lewis, Douglas Marshall, Richard Morris, T. Ernest Nichols, Michael Stauch, Frederick Swann, Charles Swisher, and Floyd Watson

Designed by Len Levasseur

Published by Circles International

Commissioned by the Virgil Fox Society

432 pages, 65 photographs

5.5 x 8.5 inches

Trade paperback

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Circles International; First Edition edition (May 3, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971297002
• ISBN-13: 978-0971297005
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #703,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Extra Saucy please, Honey!, March 23, 2003

By 

A. P. Larson (Tacoma, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Virgil Fox (The Dish): An Irreverent Biography of the Great American Organist (Paperback)

A loving, loyal, and often hilarious journey through the phenomenon that was Virgil Fox, "The Dish" lives up to its name from the moment you scan the Table of Contents. "Foam All Over His Face, Raving Like A Madman!", "That Hog-Eye-Stink-Crotch!" and "I've Always Preferred My Organs Upright!" are not at all unusual among the chapter titles as the story of this supremely gifted organist bounces along.
Roughly edited by two of his proteges from the reminisces of a third, "The Dish" is clearly a work springing from true belief in Fox's genius and deep affection for Fox himself. The contrast between the gravitas of his chosen medium, in which he spent years as a church organist in several major national congregations, and the wild joie de vivre and flamboyance with which he embraced the world around him, are a marvelous ride from one extreme to another. I picked up this book on a whim, and was shortly completely unable to detach it from my hands. Fox was such a wild ride himself, and this book is a warm testament not only to the power of belief in oneself, but the devotion of friends even after they've seen their idol's feet of clay (and been charged a dollar for the privilege -- Fox nickeled and dimed his guests for refreshments at his house!).
Delightfully unpretentious, honest and tender, "The Dish" is a mix of high and low culture, tasty and good for you. I am delighted to have learned about the organ community, but even more delighted -- at this safe remove -- to have met Virgil. "Thanks, Honey!"

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars VIRGIL AT LAST, July 16, 2002

By 

Oscar Levant "Bruce Tennant" (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Virgil Fox (The Dish): An Irreverent Biography of the Great American Organist (Paperback)

"The Dish" is in many ways a sheep in Fox's clothing. This first biography of Virgil Fox is in reality a Ted Alan Worth (Fox's protegee) memoir of his time at the feet of the great organ virtuoso. It could also be described as the world's longest series of anecdotes with a healthy dose of inserted comments by Fox cohorts Richard Torrence, Marshall Yeager and many others As such it cannot be considered a true biography. That aside, it is the only large volume devoted to Fox, so for those interested in his life and loves (musically and otherwise) it is a must read. Worth was 14 when he first met Virgil in what must have been about 1946. The narrative starts at that point, omitting the first 34+ years of Fox's life. Why he learned to love the organ, his rise to prominence and early concert career before World War II are left out. Too bad. It would have been nice to have known the full story of his inspirations. "The Dish" sounds like it was dashed off in one long paragraph, which in fact it was.
I found the stories relating to the organ companies themselves not too technical and full of the competitive spirit. Worth was on the forefront of both the Rodgers and Ruffatti organizations.
The little background, personal stories are a nice People magazine style break from the concertizing minutiae and other more solemn parts of the chapters. Everything from Fox's sex life to his wardrobe are given plenty of amplification. Few stops stay in regarding his personal life. Pictures abound giving faces to the many voices in the text. There are also quite a few variations on the themes of grammar and spelling (lightening for lightning as an example) which detract from the airy prose.
As a non-organist, I came to Fox through his "Heavy Organ" concerts that began in the 1970's. His magical way of introducing "us kids" to J.S. Bach with a pulsating light show behind him cannot be described and of course now cannot be experienced. It's been over 20 years since his death, so those who had the privilege will want to grab on to "Virgil Fox - The Dish" as a pleasant reminder of how great those mind-expanding nights at the theatre were, and how complex was the man who brought organ music to popular culture.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book!, July 31, 2002

By 

So. Calif book reader "readalot" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Virgil Fox (The Dish): An Irreverent Biography of the Great American Organist (Paperback)

I loved reading this book and couldn't wait to pick it up a couple times a day! This book really tells the story of the man, good points, bad points, warts and all. You really got the essence of this great master of the organ.