Memoirs of a W.H. Piano Man

[Beacool]

By KIKI RYAN | 7/12/10



Former White House pianist Bob Smith provided entertainment to presidents, their spouses and guests for more than 30 years. As such, he has plenty of stories to tell — like the one from his White House debut, with the Army Band Chorus, at Tricia Nixon’s 1971 St. Patrick’s Day engagement party. “My Three Sons” star Fred MacMurray arrived at the event seemingly inebriated and took up the saxophone.

“He was just horrible. ... The most awful thing you heard in your life,” Smith recalled. President Richard Nixon asked Smith to “get rid of him,” and Smith, with help from the Secret Service, complied.

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Later, he got along great with the Clintons. He and the president bonded over their shared love of playing music. Smith recalled several duets he played with Clinton on sax, an instrument “that was always in reaching distance” of the president.

He was in with the Gores, too.

“So while I’m doing saxophone things with at the White House, I’d go over to the vice president’s house, Tipper Gore had her drum set set-up outside in the living room next to the grand piano. She’d come over and say, ‘Can I sit in?,’” Smith recalled. Tipper Gore was a “very good player,” he said.

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Smith decided to retire when the Clintons moved out of the White House because, after playing for Bush 41 and spending time with the Bush family, he preferred leave before Bush 43 moved in.

President George H.W. Bush “was very cool,” Smith said. “But there were too many times where I saw over that time where he was less than statesmanlike,” he laughed.

http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1007/memoirs_of_a_w_h_piano_man.html

I don't blame him for choosing to retire before Jr. entered the WH. LOL!!!

:D

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. interesting story. kick

[Beacool]

2. Thanks!!

:hi: