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.

Obituary for LEON BERRY  Chicago Tribune, August 27, 1996

This is from the Chicago Tribune 8/27/96. by Kenan Heise, Tribune staff writer

Leon C. Berry, 82, an organist known in the Chicago area as the dean of roller rink rock, performed for many years at such rinks as the Hub in Norridge, the Arcadia at Montrose Ave. and Broadway, and the Orbit in Palatine. In 1953 he recorded "Misirlou", a hit that ranked sixth on the Billboard Magazine popularity charts.

A resident of Park Ridge, he died at home Friday, August 26th.

"He was very talented", said Robert Zoltek, a fan. "He introduced classical music to roller rinks, performing such pieces on the organ as 'The Grand March' from the opera 'Aida'. He was the best, and people loved him".

While a student at the American Conservatory of Music, he took a job at the Hammond Organ Co. plant in Chicago. A salesman mentioned that he had sold an organ to a roller rink at Broadway and Montrose and had promised the owners he would find someone to play it.

Mr. Berry, who first learned to play the organ as a child in church in Selma, Ala, was hired at $80 a week by the rink owners. Mr. Berry next performed at the Hub from 1950 to 1967 and subsequently at The Orbit Skate Center in Palatine, Illinois. He also got work performing at the Trianon Ballroom on the South Side. He played during intermissions between such bands as Guy Lombardo and Lawrence Welk.

In the early 1950's he acquired a massive organ affectionately known as "The Lion". It had been used in the Lake Theater in Crystal Lake and so totally filled his basement that as it was being installed he had to eliminate the cold air return duct for the furnace.

Survivors include a daughter, Linda DeBruler; a sister; a brother; and three grandchildren.

Service for Mr. Berry were held in Park Ridge.

Bryce Carus writes...

Mr. Leon Berry was held in high regard and as I understand it he was still playing at the Orbit Skate Center in Palatine, Ill prior to his death in 1996.

As one who saw Leon spend many hours working on the Pipe Organ at the Hub, I know he had a tremendous dedication and knowledge of that musical instrument. No matter how good it sounded he always seemed to feel that it needed just a little bit more of something. Leon was a perfectionist and we were all beneficiaries of his talent.

The Hub was a Great Roller Rink, but who can think of the Hub and not remember Leon Berry and the Giant Wurlitzer.