Customer Reviews

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

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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!"

"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.

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.

I know the others reviewers liked the book, but I did not. I am a BIG Fox fan and REALLY wanted to like this book. I enjoyed the pictures and some of the reflections from musicians and other friends. However, the book includes unfortunate gossip--statements made in private among friends that Virgil, and any other sane person, would not have expected to be written down for public consumption many years later. There are also some statements about Mr. Fox's private life that I didn't want nor care to know. The book even lapses into bad taste (chapter title using sexual reference, as one example). So much for my great hope that this book would be appropriate to give to young people in order to inspire them. I just do not feels this book honored the life of such a great artist. I truly hope someone out there will write a definitive biography that emphasiez his positive accomplishments!

The great concert organist, Virgil Fox, dominated the classical organ field from the mid-1940's until his death in 1980. His flamboyant personality and lifestyle matched his outsized playing style, and this book covers them both.

Based on a memoir written by his student and friend, fellow organist Ted Alan Worth, the manuscript has been edited and amended by two other Fox associates, Richard Torrence, who served as the musician's manager, and Marshall Yaeger. They have added additional comments from others who knew and worked with Virgil Fox, both personally and professionally.

Anyone familiar with the organ's repertoire and/or Virgil Fox will enjoy this personal, and highly subjective, account of his life on the concert circuit and as organist of Manhattan's majestic Riverside Church, interspersed with tales of his relationships with fellow organists, other musicians, and his two long-term live-in relationships. While author Worth was clearly an admirer of his subject, this "warts and all" biography includes some of Fox's foibles as well.

Reviewed by Abigail Gary

It is a wonderful read for lovers of the pipe organ! I remember seeing Virgil Fox in concert and being overwhelmed by his performance. The details of how he built quite a business really add to the book. It goes to show the ability of some to make a "niche" market for themselves and live the American Dream. Thanks for such a great entertaining book- I could hardly put it down.