Robert Merrill Passed Away

[musicradio77]

From tvgameshows.net:

ROBERT MERRILL 1917-2004

Robert Merrill, one of the Metropolitan Opera's greatest baritone legends, died Saturday at the age of 87. The death was not announced until Monday but Merrill---whose rich voice was known around the world---also had a significant connection with game shows.

Born Moishe Miller in 1917, Merrill followed in a line of lead baritones at the Met, beginning with Lawrence Tibbett in the 1920's.

Merrill grew up near Ebbets Field in Brooklyn and was a huge fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Yet, most New Yorkers remember him as the voice of the National Anthem, either live or via recording, for more than 30 years at Yankee Stadium.

The singer passed away shortly after watching the first game of the World Series.

In the 1950's and 60's, Merrill sang with Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong and made frequent appearances on the "Ed Sullivan Show".

Between 1955 and 1957, Merrill appeared 5 times on "I've Got a Secret", including a memorable spot in 1964. After Philadelphia Eagle running back Timmy Brown appeared to sing a song he recorded (with little success) titled "I've Got a Secret", the panel was asked to write their own songs called "I've Got a Secret", ostensibly for the following week.

The spot continued to be postponed, once for a news pre-emption and twice more becase Merrill was unavailable.

One month later, the segment aired after a huge buildup. Beginning with Betsy Palmer and Bess Myerson, the backup singers became larger and larger.

Bill Cullen's version had approxmately 20 singer behind him, with Bill's lyrics including, "I've got a secret......that my brother has, too."

For the piece de resistance, Merrill was brought out to sing Henry Morgan's "I've Got a Secret" tune with an operatic version and a 100-voice chorus.

In the 70's, Merrill appeared on the syndicated "To Tell the Truth" and "I've Got a Secret" 5 times before a largely fading from television to become an elder statesman of The Met.

Merrill provided the definitive version of the Anthem. He was not pleased with singers who varied the performance, particularity contemporary singers who run up and down the scale as if they are on "Star Search". "I'm bothered by these different interpretations," he said in an interview with the New York Post. "When you do the anthem, there's a legitimacy to it."

He married Met diva Robeta Peters in one of the nation's most highly-touted courtships. The Merrill-Peters union lasted only 10 weeks.

In 1954, he married pianist Marion Machno, who was at his side when he died. A son and daughter also survive Merrill.

[Penny Lane]

Unfortunately I know very little about Mr. Merrill but I have seen him in the past as a mystery guest on "What's My Line?". And I think that he sung the national anthem several times over the years at Yankee Stadium.

RIP Robert Merrill!