Rosa Rio, an organist whose long career began in silent films and extended into soap operas, died on Thursday, less than three weeks shy of her 108th birthday. The New York Times confirmed her death (at her home in Sun City Center, Fla.) with her husband, Bill Yeoman. In movie theaters, Rio accompanied such legendary silent film stars as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Mary Pickford. She also performed music for radios shows like The Shadow, starring Orson Welles. On television, Rio worked on As the World Turns and the Today show, among others. More recently, she played the organ at restored movie houses, often treating the audience to her signature song, Everything’s Coming Up Roses.
Here is a video of Rio at work.
Zero chance I live that long. 107 is pretty damn impressive.
I wish they’d posted something like this for Bob Mitchell when he passed away last summer. He played for tons of silent films at The Silent Movie Theater in Los Angeles. You can see clips of him on you tube for those who might be interested.
What was Rosa Rio’s place of origin?
I had a chance to interview her and see her play her organ a few years ago (yes, she was still going strong well into her 100′s).
She’s an absolutely remarkable woman and she’ll be missed.