Very sorry to read that John Raitt, one of the greats from Broadway's Golden Age, died today at the age of 88. He was tall and handsome, with a booming baritone voice, and created the role of Billy Bigelow in "Carousel". When Hugh made his New York debut on June 6, 2002, singing the role of Billy at Carnegie Hall, Mr. Raitt made a special appearance, reading the introduction. It was a very touching moment at the curtain call when Hugh and Mr. Raitt embraced. Hugh treated him with such obvious respect, and just beamed while he applauded the 'original Billy'.

At intermission, I realized that Mr. Raitt was seated nearby in the audience, so I approached him and told him what a great honor it was to see him there. He was still handsome, with beautiful white hair, and very much a gentleman. His signature in my Playbill is firm and legible.

(He appeared in many other shows, with "The Pajama Game" being a stand-out. Fortunately, he starred in the movie version as well.)

Rest in peace, Mr. Raitt.

This is very sad news. Two of my favorite baritones are now gone, but it's nice to think that maybe John and Howard are in a better place and singing with some of the greats of our time at that little cabaret club on cloud 9...Okay, I sound hokey...but it's a nice little thought anyhow.

quote:

Originally posted by Musical Mutant:
but it's nice to think that maybe John and Howard are in a better place and singing with some of the greats of our time at that little cabaret club on cloud 9...Okay, I sound hokey...but it's a nice little thought anyhow.

Not hokey at all, MM... my thought was that the Heavenly choir will certainly sound much sweeter with the additions to their ranks,,,

Hughfan,we remember that night at Carnige Hall.We were in the third row,and were greatly impressed by him.Hugh seemed to adore him.Hugh was not well at all that night,and Mr.Raitt seemed to click with him.We were lucky enough to meet him too.He had class.Oh frack!.....

I am just so saddened by this. When I heard the news, I immediately started playing my mp3 of John Raitt singing Soliloquy. And MM, I like to think the same thing about John and Howard. How lucky everyone here was to have had the honor of meeting such a gentlemen, and it must have been so incredible for Hugh, also a gentleman in every sense of the word, to have had the opportunity to have Mr. Raitt pass him the leading man torch, so to speak.

now to play If I loved you

popotjc

just wondering what the heck you mean by Hugh not being well that night? I was there and I thought he was in great form. Sorry, didn't mean to take away from the original thread...

I was a fan of Mr. Raitt's, too. What a great loss for musical theater. He seemed like such a class act, too. Hope he rests in peace.

Ellen

I have great memories of Howard Keel and John Raitt they will be missed greatly!!Very talented and special gentlemen!!Foxie

This is very sad news indeed.My father and Mr.
Raitt were very good friends years ago in NYC and he loved John very much.Talk about a class act and a true gentleman.
When my parents bought their first home in the
Hollywood Hills back in the 50's,they bought it
from Carol Haney and Mr.Raitt was instumental in all of that as he was Carol's friend as well.
I was just a little,tiny girl at the time but I
remember that house very well and I loved it.
You're all right about that Heavenly choir.Today
it is much richer and fuller.

RIP John Raitt(and thank you for playing a very important part in giving me the very first house I ever remember living in.)

Love to all,
Barbara

John Raitt and Howard Keel -- both pillars in musicals ( legit or movies)!

It's interesting to note that there was an opportunity each for Hugh to have met both of them - John Raitt for the performance in CAROUSEL and Howard Keel at the OKLAHOMA! backstage. It must have been fun comparing notes ( John and Hugh on the Billy Bigelow role, and Howard and Hugh on the Curly Mclain role). Howard, according to the Maureen Lipman book, met the cast backstage and said " ...that was the finest OKLAHOMA! I have ever seen or will ever see in my life".

Jo-

I remember that quote from Howard (earlier known as Harold) Keel. I think he added something about, "Of course, I never got to see the production I was in." Still, quite a compliment from the eminent Mr. Keel.

My fave role of his was Wild Bill Hickok in the 1953 Doris Day movie, "Calamity Jane."

Ellen