Leonard MacClain
Encyclopedia
Leonard MacClain was an American
keyboardist
and composer
who was prominent as an organist
in the Philadelphia area. He gained international exposure through his recordings for Epic Records
.
started at the Jefferson Theatre, when the regular organist there could not appear on account of inclement weather. In 1919 he began playing at the Fifty-Sixth Street Theater. He became the premiere theatre organist in the Philadelphia area for decades, earning the nickname “Melody Mac”.
MacClain was also popular on radio, where he had his own show. In 1935 he debuted an instrument called the “Photona” on the CBS Radio
network. The instrument was of two manuals
, each manual including six octave
s, and had foot controls for volume and tremolo.
By 1950 he was recording for Musicart Records. The late 1950s and early 1960s were the peak of MacClain’s exposure, as he signed a recording contract with Epic Records, where he recorded the Wurlitzer
organ in the Tower Theatre located in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. During this time, he made numerous concert appearances, often in conjunction with the American Association of Theater Organ Enthusiasts. Highlights included being named convention organist for the Forty-Seventh Annual Rotary Convention in 1956, and as guest soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra
conducted by Eugene Ormandy
playing “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” During this time he lived in Ocean City, New Jersey
, with his wife, Dorothy. In 1963, McClain traveled to Baltimore, Buffalo, Rochester and Philadelphia to record organs in four theatres scheduled for demolition and to California to record at Lorin Whitney Studios in Glendale. These sessions were released on the Ralbar Records label. By 1966 heath issues forced him to cancel appearances. He died in 1967.
skills. He was said to be able to play any song he had heard from memory, making up the chords and accompaniment as he went along. On his radio show, he offered a prize to any listener who could stump him with a song, but was rarely bested. He was reviewed by Billboard
as “outstanding.”
MacClain was sought after as a teacher of his instrument. Students included Dennis James
, who at the age of 16 replaced MacClain in concert when the organist suffered a heart attack
, and Barbara Fesmire.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
who was prominent as an organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
in the Philadelphia area. He gained international exposure through his recordings for Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
.
Biography
MacClain's career as a theatre organist for silent moviesSilent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
started at the Jefferson Theatre, when the regular organist there could not appear on account of inclement weather. In 1919 he began playing at the Fifty-Sixth Street Theater. He became the premiere theatre organist in the Philadelphia area for decades, earning the nickname “Melody Mac”.
MacClain was also popular on radio, where he had his own show. In 1935 he debuted an instrument called the “Photona” on the CBS Radio
CBS Radio
CBS Radio, Inc., formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States, third behind main rival Clear Channel Communications and Cumulus Media. CBS Radio owns around 130 radio stations across the country...
network. The instrument was of two manuals
Manual (music)
A manual is a keyboard designed to be played with the hands on a pipe organ, harpsichord, clavichord, electronic organ, or synthesizer. The term "manual" is used with regard to any hand keyboard on these instruments to distinguish it from the pedalboard, which is a keyboard that the organist plays...
, each manual including six octave
Octave
In music, an octave is the interval between one musical pitch and another with half or double its frequency. The octave relationship is a natural phenomenon that has been referred to as the "basic miracle of music", the use of which is "common in most musical systems"...
s, and had foot controls for volume and tremolo.
By 1950 he was recording for Musicart Records. The late 1950s and early 1960s were the peak of MacClain’s exposure, as he signed a recording contract with Epic Records, where he recorded the Wurlitzer
Wurlitzer
The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to simply as Wurlitzer, was an American company that produced stringed instruments, woodwinds, brass instruments, theatre organs, band organs, orchestrions, electronic organs, electric pianos and jukeboxes....
organ in the Tower Theatre located in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. During this time, he made numerous concert appearances, often in conjunction with the American Association of Theater Organ Enthusiasts. Highlights included being named convention organist for the Forty-Seventh Annual Rotary Convention in 1956, and as guest soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
conducted by Eugene Ormandy
Eugene Ormandy
Eugene Ormandy was a Hungarian-born conductor and violinist.-Early life:Born Jenő Blau in Budapest, Hungary, Ormandy began studying violin at the Royal National Hungarian Academy of Music at the age of five...
playing “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” During this time he lived in Ocean City, New Jersey
Ocean City, New Jersey
Ocean City is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is the principal city of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Cape May County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 11,701...
, with his wife, Dorothy. In 1963, McClain traveled to Baltimore, Buffalo, Rochester and Philadelphia to record organs in four theatres scheduled for demolition and to California to record at Lorin Whitney Studios in Glendale. These sessions were released on the Ralbar Records label. By 1966 heath issues forced him to cancel appearances. He died in 1967.
Playing style and legacy
His playing was described as “forthright” and “sensible”, yet he was also noted for his improvisationalMusical improvisation
Musical improvisation is the creative activity of immediate musical composition, which combines performance with communication of emotions and instrumental technique as well as spontaneous response to other musicians...
skills. He was said to be able to play any song he had heard from memory, making up the chords and accompaniment as he went along. On his radio show, he offered a prize to any listener who could stump him with a song, but was rarely bested. He was reviewed by Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
as “outstanding.”
MacClain was sought after as a teacher of his instrument. Students included Dennis James
Dennis James (musician)
Dennis James is an American musician who has played "a pivotal role in the international revival of silent films presented with live music." Primarily an organist, since 1971 he has presented live accompaniments for silent films, with piano, theatre organ, chamber ensemble and full symphony...
, who at the age of 16 replaced MacClain in concert when the organist suffered a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
, and Barbara Fesmire.
Albums
- Choice Christmas Carols (Valdoray VLD-101-L) 10"Lp (1952)
- Theater Organ in Hi-Fi (Epic LN-3273)(1956)
- Joy to the World (Epic LN-3283) (1956)
- Operetta for the Theatre OrganOperetta for the Theatre OrganOperetta for the Theatre Organ is an album released by Leonard MacClain in 1957 on Epic Records LP record LN 3372. On release, J. Albert Fracht reviewed the album as "full of good playing." The album features music from Victor Herbert's "Red Mill", "The Fortune Teller" and "Mlle Modiste." Also...
(Epic LN-3372) (1957) - More Theater Organ in Hi-Fi (Epic LN-3655) (1960)
- Theatre Organ After Dark (Epic LN-3697)(1960) (Re-released as Columbia Special Products EPSP-569)
- Leonard MacClain's Golden Years of Theatre Organ (1963) Ralbar Records SDLP6300) 2 disc set
- Leonard MacClain Plays For Theatre Organ Lovers (Ralbar Records SOLP 6301)
- Leonard MacClain Plays Baltimore's Fabulous Stanton Theatre Organ (Ralbar Records SOLP 6302)
- 25th Anniversary Release in Memory of Leonard MacClain--recorded 1963 (1992) Vantage Records VCD-6303