Pre-Script:
Please be advised that this it not the real Tom Lehrer running the show here. This is simply a tribute page, with the hopes of perhaps spreading the songs of Mr. Lehrer to future generations, introducing him to new people, and giving some old fans a bit of nostalgia, and I've tried to make this page as comprehensive as possible. Me? I'm simply an avid fan of his and player of his music. If you would, for whatever set of bizarre circumstances, like to see who's behind this. fiasco, visit me here.
Get this video and more at MySpace.com
An Introduction:
Announcer: "I should like to introduce now the featured artist of this evening's. ordeal. I'm sure that you will all agree without any hesitation that Tom Lehrer is the most brilliant creative genius that America has produced in almost 200 years, so perhaps a few words of biographical background might not be amiss. Endowed by nature with perhaps the most glorious baritone voice to be heard on an American stage since the memorable concert debut in 1835 of Millard Fillmore; endowed also with twelve incredibly agile fingers; Mr. Lehrer has had a long and varied career in the field of entertainment starting with nine years at Harvard University, where it was that he first decided to devote his life to what has since become a rather successful scientific project - namely, the attempt to prolong adolescence beyond all previous limits.
Even before he came to Harvard, however, he was well known in academic circles for his masterly translation into Latin of "The Wizard of Oz", which remains even today the standard Latin version of that work. A few years ago he was inducted. forcibly. into the United States Army and spent most of his indenture in Washington as sort of Army liaison to the Office of Naval Contemplation. About his service record, he is justifiably modest, but it is known that in a short time he rose to the rank of Brigadier General. However, before he could acquire a tenure, he was discharged, and owing to nepotism and intrigue, he emerged with only the rank of Specialist 3rd Class, which was roughly equivalent to the rank of Corporal without Portfolio.
But to return to his career in show business, for several years he toured vaudeville theaters with an act consisting of impressions of people in the last throes of various diseases. I'm sure that many of you here tonight still recall with pleasure his memorable diphtheria imitation. He is generally acknowledged to be the dean of living American composers, and is currently working on a musical comedy based on the life of Adolph Hitler. Without further ado - Tom Lehrer."
(The Announcer sits down at the piano, revealing himself to be Tom)
"You'd be amazed at the money we save that way."
Links:
The Math Concert
Interested in seeing Tom Lehrer in action? This is a video of Tom Lehrer performing four or five math songs at some kind of lecture.
The Physical Revue
A neat page dedicated to a show put on by Tom Lehrer (and several other Harvard folk). Includes a few downloadable songs. I'd think it's some of the earliest recordings of Tom Lehrer available.
Bright Tom Lehrer Days
A all around website dedicated to Tom Lehrer
Tom Lehrer on Wikipedia
Wikipedia's take on Tom Lehrer, his life and his music
Tom Lehrer's Lyrics
A great page with the lyrics to just about every Tom Lehrer song ever written, along with annotations.
The Elements
"The Elements" song set to animation, in one of the most recognizable flash videos in existence.
Tom Lehrer on YouTube:
Tom Lehrer Wisdom Channel
An incredible compilation of extremely rare video footage of Tom himself performing. Includes such. hits as "The Vatican Rag", "The Masochism Tango", and "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park".
Tom Lehrer Wisdom Channel Support Page
A companion site to the Tom Lehrer Wisdom Channel on YouTube, with information about the Channel itself, and some very nice links.
Poisoning Pigeons in the Park
Perhaps the most recent video of Mr. Lehrer performing.
I Got it from Agnes
From the The Michael Parkinson Show in 1980.
Tom Lehrer on The Frost Report (YouTube):
That's the End of News
Who's Next?
Decimal
So Long Mom (A Song For World War III)
Pollution
Still Can't Get Enough Tom Lehrer?
If you don't enjoy these songs, you probably won't enjoy that the are available on various albums, as listed here:
The Remains of Tom Lehrer
Songs & More Songs by Tom Lehrer
Tom Lehrer Revisited
An Evening Wasted With Tom Lehrer
That Was the Year That Was
Also, if you did not enjoy these songs, you certainly will not enjoy that the words and music of most of Mr. Lehrer's songs (including all songs featured in the revue Tomfoolery) can be found here:
Too Many Songs by Tom Lehrer
