Died On This Date (December 20, 2011) Merv Conn / The King Of The Strolling Accordionists
themusicsover Merv Conn (Born Mervin Cohen)
February 19, 1920 – December 20, 2011
Merv Conn was a Washington DC area accordionist and singer who entertained audiences big and small for several decades. Conn was still in his teens when he first learned to play the accordion, and in a very short time, he was playing parties and on local radio stations. During the mid ’40s, he opened an accordion school, which at its peak, employed five teachers and taught as many as 300 students a week. In 1964, he became the official live musician of the Washington Senators professional baseball team, entertaining crowds over the PA system between innings. Due to his proximity to the U.S. Capital, Conn often performed at embassy events and even played private shows for Richard Nixon, Lyndon Johnson, and Harry S. Truman. Over the years, his repertoire swelled to over 1000 songs. Merv Conn was 91 when he died of complications of prostate cancer on December 20, 2011.
Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.
Roger Williams was a popular American pianist who released several hit instrumental records during the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. Williams reportedly began playing the piano at age 3, and except for a break to give boxing a respectable shot during his late teens, Williams devoted his life to the instrument. After majoring in piano in college – which he was expelled from, Williams enlisted in the US Navy during World War II where he earned for his Bachelor’s degree. After being discharged, he went on to earn his Master’s, and then moved to New York City to study at famed music school, Julliard. It was while filling in one night for an absent performer on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, Williams was discovered and signed to Kapp Records. In 1955, he released “Autumn Leaves” which is still the only piano instrumental to ever reach #1 on the Billboard pop charts. The record went on to sell over 2 million copies. His next big hit came in 1966 with “Born Free,” the theme song to the popular motion picture of the same name. Other hits included “Near You,” “The Impossible Dream,” and “The Theme From Somewhere In Time.” Over a career that spanned more than 56 years, he released over 116 albums. Always a popular guest at the White House, Williams performed for nine different Presidents, beginning with Harry S. Truman. His last was at a 2008 luncheon hosted by Laura Bush. As reported by the 
