Aug 7 (Reuters) - Marvin Hamlisch, the award-winning
composer of Broadway show "A Chorus Line" and more than 40 movie
scores including "The Way We Were" and "The Sting", has died in
Los Angeles at the age of 68.
Following are reactions by statement or on Twitter from some
of those who worked with him and knew him.
BARBRA STREISAND - "I'm devastated. He was my dear friend.
He's been in my life ever since the first day I met him in 1963,
when he was my rehearsal pianist for "Funny Girl." He played at
my wedding in 1998 ... and recently for me at a benefit for
women's heart disease. The world will remember Marvin for his
brilliant musical accomplishments, from "A Chorus Line" to "The
Way We Were," and so many others, but when I think of him now,
it was his brilliantly quick mind, his generosity, and delicious
sense of humor that made him a delight to be around. Just last
night, I was trying to reach him, to tell him how much I loved
him, and that I wanted to use an old song of his, that I had
just heard for the first time. He was a true musical genius, but
above all that, he was a beautiful human being. I will truly
miss him."
LIZA MINNELLI - "Marvin Hamlisch and I have been best
friends since I was 13 years old. He arranged my first album, my
second album, the songs for Judy Garland & Liza Minnelli at the
London Palladium and just about everything else. He was one of
the funniest people I knew. I will miss his talent, our laughter
and friendship, but mostly I will miss Marvin. My heart is with
his wife Terre always. I have lost my first lifelong best
friend, and sadly we have lost a splendid, splendid talent."
ARETHA FRANKLIN - "He was classic and one of a kind. Who
will ever forget 'The Way We Were'?"
SONGRWITERS ALAN AND MARILYN BERGMAN - ""He was more than
our collaborator. He was our beloved friend. He was family. The
world will miss his music, his humor, his genius. We will miss
him every day for the rest of our lives."
DEBRA MESSING - "The GREAT Marvin Hamlisch passed away...
What a loss. What a talent. What contributions ..."
BRYAN ADAMS - "RIP Marvin Hamlisch. We co-wrote the Oscar
nominated song "I Finally Found Someone". He was an amazing
musician/composer and will be missed."
LEONARD NIMOY - "Sad. Reading of the passing of another
colleague. Marvin Hamlisch gave us the lovely score for "Three
Men And A Baby". RIP"
MATTHEW MORRISON - "I'm very saddened by the loss of
prolific composer and conductor Marvin Hamlisch. Mr. Hamlisch's
contribution to the arts is one that will forever be remembered
through the masterpieces he created for TV, film, theater, and
music as a whole. We will miss Mr. Hamlisch, and will continue
to honor his life through his work."
JOAN RIVERS - "I just heard of Marvin Hamlisch's death.
Nothing more to say than I just adored him. Very, very sad day."
RECORDING ACADEMY PRESIDENT NEIL PORTNOW - "Four-time Grammy
winner Marvin Hamlisch was a masterful composer whose work
transcended Broadway stages and the silver screen ... The music
industry has lost a truly gifted artist."
NANCY REAGAN - "Marvin Hamlisch was a dear friend and I am
truly stunned by his death at such a young age. I heard him say
once that he was "old fashioned" and I suppose that's why Ronnie
and I were so drawn to him, but I don't think you could ever
find a more contemporary and talented musician. During our time
at the White House, he entertained at many events - he even let
me sing with him a few times, but luckily his piano music
drowned out my voice! And I'll never forget that he wrote a
special song for Ronnie's surprise 77th birthday party in 1988."
SONGWRITER DIANE WARREN - "So sad to hear about Marvin
Hamlisch. Brilliant composer and such a lovely man. The angels
have beautiful melodies to sing now."
(Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy Editing by Jill Serjeant and James
Dalgleish)