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Leon Berry
Sometime around 1957 Leon Berry cut a record at the Hub Roller Rink. I have
the good fortune to still possess this Audio Fidelity Stereodisc, AFSD 5828,
and it says more about the pipe organ and Leon Berry than I could ever
recall..
One of this country's most versatile theater organists who know his own
instrument intimately and therefore is highly consious of its many
capabilities. For a number of years Berry has been organist at the world
renowned Hub Rink in Chicago Illinois where he plays one of the most
brilliant and impressive instruments in the world. |
Click Here for Leon Berry's Home Page
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Freddie Arnish
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Freddie Arnish played very much in the style of Leon, and many skaters were not even aware that Leon was not playing, when Freddie was filling in!! Freddie is
still Living in the Chicago Area. |
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Carl DeSanti |
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Carl has played
for roller rinks in the Chicagoland area for many years. His emotional
heartfelt music adds a dimension to skating music that is enjoyed by
skaters everywhere. Carl plays at The Orbit Skate Center the first
Sunday of each month as well as at Aurora Skate Center on occasion. He
and his partner Kenned perform in other public venues as well. |
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Don Born
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Anyone have a photo of Don?
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Is retired and living in Florida
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Frank Pellico
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Is and has been the organist at all Chicago Blackhawk games. He had the
privilege of working with Chicago Stadium organist, the late Al Melgard, and
played for the Blackhawks on the worlds largest Pipe Organ until the Stadium
was closed.. Frank has played for the Hub Reunion last year, and will be for the 2004 reunion. He plays on Monday nights at the Aurora Skating Rink to the delight of many dance skaters.
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Click Here for Franks Home Page
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Glen Davis |
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| Anyone have a photo of Glen Davis? |
Glen Davis was a prominent Chicago organist and entrepreneur. He was the
founder of The Beautiful Sound, Chicago's Allen Organ Dealership, which
is still in business today. He is also the inventor of the Glen-tone
speaker, a speaker with a mechanical enclosure similar to a Leslie. He
also recorded fixed tempo skating records that were sold to roller rinks
on a Hammond organ on his own label, Skating Rhythms. I have a few of
them in my collection.
Andy Antonczyk |
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Paul Grosnick |
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Paul was the
proud owner of the Organ that Leon rescued from a Crystal Lake Theater
in the Mid to late 1950's. That was the Organ we moved into the basement
of Leon's home in Norridge, and became known as "The Beast in The
Basement". Paul played for many competitive meets for the compulsory
dance events at The Orbit Skate Center. He was also the regular organist at North Avenue Rollerway until it closed.
update: 2007 - The organ was sold and taken out of the
house in Park Ridge. Last we heard, Paul has retired from playing the
organ due to medical problems. |
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Tony
Tahlman Tony Tahlman was an incredibly talented
organist. Not only did he play the pipe organ at The Elm, he worked on
it as well. He gave organ lessons to many including The Orbit's beloved
organist Carl DeSanti.
More information on Tony coming from Carl soon. |
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Dear Frank,
My name is Paul Grosnick, I was a student of Leon Berry and eventually
became Freddy Arnishes relief organist the last few years the Hub was open.
After the Hub closed I became the organist at the North Avenue Rollerway in
Melrose Park. I was there three years when the management concented to
install a pipe organ. We had some parts from the Hub Organ.
I was a close friend of Leon and his wife Mildred. When they passed they
left me the house along with the pipe organ that Leon got from the Lake
Theatre in Crystal Lake and had moved to his house on Gunnison in Noridge and
later moved to his house in Park Ridge.
I do have a photograph of Leon standing in front of the original Hub organ
console sitting in the lobby of the Hub before it was installed.
Hope to hear from you,
Paul Grosnick |
