how good a pianist was victor borge
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey He developed his protective, self-disparaging persona, which delighted generations of concertgoers, as a child in Denmark when his parents wanted to show off their prodigy. Borge was born Jan. 3, 1909, as Boerge Rosenbaum to a family of musicians. He became a big deal in the entertainment industry and started getting film offers. He became a comedian, actor, composer, pianist, writer and even director of stage, screen and radio shows. Borges trademark bits included his phonetic punctuation, in which he read a story but used a sound for each punctuation mark, and his inflated language, in which each number or homonym of a number became the next-higher number (wonderful became twoderful). Even today when I play with the orchestra, there are moments when I begin to shake. His show Comedy in Music launched in 1953, at John Golden Theatre in New York City, an original Broadway comedy, became the longest running one-man show in the history of theatre. Borge moved to America in 1940, owing to Nazis occupation of Denmark during World War II. He still holds the world record for the longest running one-man show on Broadway 849 performances. Borge Rosenbaum Collection: FamilySearch Family Tree Birth: Jan 3 1909 - Copenhagen, Denmark Death: Dec 23 2000 - Greenwich, Fairfield, CT, USA Parents: Bernard Rosenbaum, Frederickke Lichtinger Wife: Sarabel Sanna Scraper View the Record Victor Brge Rosenbaunin MyHeritage family trees (Caspersen Web Site) Many of his skits were based on real-life events. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Tennis star Serena Williams, supermodel Karlie Kloss unveil baby bumps at the Met Gala His inimitable brand of comedy was physical humour, always led by amazing musicianship. Growing up in a musically inclined household meant that Borge was exposed to the idea of it from a very young age and he was given piano lessons from the age of two. Late in his career, Borge began conducting. The Royal Danish Orchestra celebrated its 550th anniversary and appointed Borge as an honorary member in 1998. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/brge-rosenbaum-3118.php, 20th Century Film & Theater Personalities, 20th Century American Film & Theater Personalities. He had just returned from a trip to Copenhagen, the city of his birth. Borge, almost single-handedly, developed the Rock Cornish game hen industry in America. Recalling a concert in which one pianist had played a few opening chords and then slumped forward on the keys, dead, Borge quipped: If I did that, everybody would laugh.. Mr. Borge would sometimes include stories about Denmark and World War II in his performances. He became a part of Rudy Vallees radio show in 1941. The problem that everyone has, be they great or not so great, is that every time you perform, you are defending yourself, proving that you can do it and do it well. . For eight decades, he was never out of the spotlight. He began performing on radio in 1941 and by 1945 had his own show; his Carnegie Hall debut came that same year. Borges daughter, Rikke Borge, told the Associated Press that her father died peacefully in his sleep as the family was gathering to celebrate Christmas. The most outstanding comedian/pianist, and possibly the most famous of all time is Victor Borge. Borge would often play around with Moonlight Sonata in his sketches, sometimes allowing it to morph into a popular tune like Cole Porters Night and Day. He was the eldest of the Marx brothers. -Victor Borge jazzy_larry 6.97K subscribers Subscribe 153K Share Save 8.6M views. Along the way, the former piano prodigy gained a huge following of fans of all ages--many of whom cared nothing for classical music. comments to the audience. As the singer would begin booming out a climatic part of the piece, a seemingly terrified Mr. Borge would be startled off his bench. But people go back to hear it year in and year out, he said. Victor Borge was born in Copenhagen, Denmark into a Jewish family to Bernhard and Frederikke Rosenbaum. he loved classical and opera, and since it's typically played with sheet music, he thought to play it, you had to follow the strict detailed instructions of sheet music. In addition, comedian, musician and conductor, Rainer Hersch will be performing his hilarious and heart-warming tribute to his idol, Victor Borge. He never made it successfully into the movies. 5. show. Victor Borge, born Brge Rosenbaum, was a Danish comedian, conductor and pianist, affectionately known as The Clown Prince of Denmark, The Unmelancholy Dane,and The Great Dane. Groucho Marx later claimed that. laughed so much since her husband died. Borge was born Jan. 3, 1909, as Boerge Rosenbaum to a family of musicians. There he learnt English by watching movies and took the name Victor Borge, quickly adapting his routine to American audiences. Victor Borge (born Brge Rosenbaum in Copenhagen in 1909) was a Danish musical comedian who trained as a concert pianist and went on to achieve legendary success in radio and television in America and Europe. And I wish to remind you that the smile is the shortest distance He later studied at the University of Berlin, and with private teachers in Copenhagen and Vienna. Borge, who was Jewish, often satirized Adolf Hitler, and he was performing in Stockholm when Germany invaded Denmark in 1940. He had a long and happy life.. -Victor Borge, Beethovens Symphony No.5 fills Printworks in Aurora Orchestras thrilling immersive, Scientific analysis of Beethovens DNA reveals he had Hepatitis B and high risk of, When Daniel Barenboim, Yo-Yo Ma and Anne-Sophie Mutter combined to gift us achingly, Classic FM and The Sixteen bring to light centuries-old Byrd motet for King Charles, Chevalier: Kelvin Harrison Jr.s on-set violin teacher reveals how he taught the actor, Download 'Lincoln - The People's House' on iTunes. Born Borge Rosenbaum, he was educated at Borgerdydskolen, a public school in Copenhagen. Revisit the classic routines of comedian-pianist Victor Borge in highlights from his years . He fell off his bench, played music upside down and repeatedly milked laughs from such classic routines as "phonetic punctuation" in which he used goofy sounds to indicate commas, periods and question marks in his monologue. But even on this subject, on which he could be eloquently moving, he could suddenly interject humor. The real Victor Borge Rainer Hersch has often been compared with one of the greatest musical comedians of the 20th century - Victor Borge. 4. Mr. Borge was knighted by five Nordic nations and received awards for his work from Congress and the United Nations. Borge would have turned 92 on Jan. 3. In the Sunday Times you'll find a feature on James Thierree, grandson of the great Charlie Chaplin, who was a strong influence on Victor Borge, one of the heroes of the comedy world. (March 17, 1953 - September 19, 2000) (her death, 3 children), (December 24, 1933 - 1953) (divorced, 2 children), View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. 2. Borge's daughter, Rikke Borge, said her father died peacefully in his sleep at his home as the family was gathering to celebrate Christmas. His concert career began in 1922, and He managed to escape to the United States in 1940 on one of the last neutral ships leaving Europe. Born Borg Rosenbaum in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1909, Victor Borge was the youngest son of Bernard Rosenbaum, a viola player in the Royal Danish Philharmonic Orchestra, and the former Frederikke Lichtinger, a gifted pianist. He also conducted orchestras with Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Royal Danish Orchestra, etc. Full Name: Brge Rosenbaum. One of his famous skits involves "phonetic punctuation", in which he Borge was born Brge Rosenbaum in Copenhagen, Denmark, into a Jewish family. on See details. Early days John Williams It brings Scandinavian students and scientists to study in the United States. 2021 All rights reserved by Masterpiece Entertainment Ltd. Company No 07852674. Friends & Following. His impeccable timing and mock-formal grandfatherly airs only improved with age. It is this immortal combination of skill and humour which earned the man the title, The Clown Prince Of Denmark. Why is Frank McCourt really pushing it? Watch, as he seamlessly weaves the famous ditty into one of the great Romantic piano works. Victor Borge, 91, the comic pianist who parlayed his Danish accent and demented musical logic into a hugely successful performing career of more than six decades, died Dec. 23 at his home in Greenwich, Conn. * at the best online prices at eBay! Find clues for Cubin music or most any crossword answer or clues for crossword answers. Artistic Director. Both of his parents were musicians, and Borge continued in this line, learning piano and performing as a classical pianist. Arriving in the US in 1940, he made his American radio debut on the Bing . His second wife died in September at 83. He is remembered for blending humor and symphony music and having his audience laughing while listening to a classical piece. Personal Life & Legacy. Also popular was his inflated language in which wonderful became two-derful, and the second lieutenant ate the tenderloin with his fork ballooned to the third lieu-eleven-ant nined the eleven-derloin with his fivek., But he was careful to balance his droll asides and witty sight gags with superb piano work. "I do a thing with a page turner. In the following years, Borge received recognition for his talent and queer performances of music blended with jokes. In 1941, days after failing to get a job pumping gas because his English wasnt good enough, he promptly secured himself a slot on the Bing Crosby radio show performing to 30 million Americans every week. Music", with which he toured off and on until his retirement. Pianist, composer, songwriter, entertainer and actor, educated at 6. Victor Borge (comedian and pianist; born January 3, 1909, in Copenhagen; died December 23, 2000) He looks like a elder statesman and speaks with the charming accents of a middle European fairytale kingdom, but the whole world knows him as the Great Dane. I think he brought laughter to every person he came in contact with, Rikke Borge said Saturday. He became a phenomenon on the television with his The Victor Borge Show and the several appearances that he made on the television on shows like Toast of the Town, Sesame Street, etc. The suggested donation is $15. Everybody who has ever tried to have a page turner knows that it is terribly dangerous, and the better musician you are the more you have been exposed to mistakes," Borge said. Victor Borge's style of humour quickly won him fans. Brge Rosenbaum (3 January 1909 - 23 December 2000), known professionally as Victor Borge ( BOR-g), was a Danish-American comedian, conductor, and pianist who achieved great popularity in radio and television in the North America and Europe. 10. My father [a Danish Royal Symphony violinist] would get angry with me, because sometimes there were very important people in the audience., Over the years, Borge refined his sketches in four languages, earning knighthoods and international popularity. Victor Borge. Victor Borge, was a Danish man who combined two very distinctive forms of entertainmentclassical piano music and Stand-Up Comedy into one amazing whole. Mr. Borge, who was twice married, is survived by five children, nine grandchildren and a great-grandchild. In 1933 he started his now famous "stand up" act, with the signature blend of piano music . "When you are trying to defend a position, or create a position, in any field in your life, then every change, every move, has to be defended," he said in 1986. He was scheduled to conduct there again in 2001. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. He managed to flee to the United States when Hitler's forces occupied Denmark. A few years ago, Borge returned to the theater to fulfill a longtime dream of conducting the Royal Theater's symphony orchestra. His father wanted him to follow in his footsteps, but young Borge preferred piano to violin. Only Mozart has his own suite.". In his later years, he directed Mozart's Magic Flute in Cleveland and prepared a concert version of Carmen. 90 minutes of the funniest concert youll ever see (Time Out). ", "We should remember him with a smile," Kaiser said Saturday, adding a much-repeated quote of Borge's and title of his biography: "The smile is the shortest way between people.". Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. He arrived in America with only minimal English and taught himself the language by watching movies. Abandoning all his possessions, including his piano, Borge later joked that he had caught the last available ship out of Petsame, Finland, with only five minutes to spare. The couple escaped with just their dog--and had to pay a $3 U.S. customs tax on it. "Santa Claus has the right idea - visit people only once a year.". Victor Borge (1909-2000) - Find a Grave Memorial Advertisement Photo added by Erik Skytte Victor Borge Birth 3 Jan 1909 Copenhagen, Kobenhavns Kommune, Hovedstaden, Denmark Death 23 Dec 2000 (aged 91) Greenwich, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA Burial Mosaisk Vestre Begravelsesplads Copenhagen, Kobenhavns Kommune, Hovedstaden, Denmark Plot He was named Brge Rosenbaum, and his musical talent was no surprise as his father was a musician in the Royal Danish Chapel. Borge kept up a busy career into his 80s, touring and issuing videos, including his most popular, The Best of Victor Borge, which sold some 3 million copies. Inevitably, someone would shout "Bach!" / CBS. His rise to fame was quick, after arriving in 1940, he starred in Rudy Vallee's radio show in 1941, then won Best New Radio Performer in 1942. "The Great Dane," as the beloved international humorist and musician was known, was celebrated across the world for his unique blend of comedy and music. #inline-recirc-item--id-9d1eb7d4-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-9d1eb7d4-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { His second book, My Favorite Comedies in Music, co-written with critic Robert Sherman in 1980, was prompted by his study of various musical instruments in preparation for conducting. By ABC News G R E E N W I C H, Conn. -- Victor Borge, the daffy pianist whose whimsical approach to the classics earned him the moniker the "clown prince" of Denmark, died today. Borge Rosenbaum, popularly known as Victor Borge, was an American comedian, music conductor and pianist who was once called the funniest pianist on earth by the Washington Post. Write a Review. Soon after, he and his American wife, Elsie, left for the United States, arriving with nothing but their Scottish terrier. Before World War II, he had become something a star of the Scandinavian stage and screen. "He had so much on the table, and to the day he died he was creative, and practicing piano several hours a day," Gurtman told Reuters. Early Breakfast with Lucy Coward people asked. The piano is the most portable instrument that can be played by anyone and everyone. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for The Best of Victor Borge: Act One & Two (DVD, 2002) + Victor Borge 2 Set *Good! Bad musicians are rarely funny for very long, but Victor Borge remained a riot for a remarkably long time, said Times music critic Mark Swed. Updates? Alexander Borodin My Favorite Intermissions: Lives of the Musical Greats and Other Facts You Never Knew You Were Missing. He appeared in six films and wrote a Swedish newspaper column. He could be, surprisingly and suspiciously, playing a beautiful piece of music when, suddenly forced to reach far to his left or right, he would plunge from his piano bench. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. In the concert at Copenhagen's Tivoli gardens, Borge played variations on the theme of Happy Birthday to You in the styles of Mozart, Brahms, Wagner and Beethoven all executed with such wit that the orchestra was convulsed with laughter that a woman performing a piccolo solo was unable to draw breath to play. #inline-recirc-item--id-9d1eb7d4-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { 4.03 avg rating 119 ratings published 1971 9 editions. He had a habit of stumbling into a grand piano, sounding a chord with his backside, and then admitting to his audience, I play much better by ear, I can assure you.If youve not discovered him before, here are some of his greatest momentsVictor Borge never forgot that his audiences were composed equally of those who knew classical music well, and those who didnt, so he trod a fine line between physical and musical gags. The cause of death was not immediately known. Justso long. As might be expected for a family of musicians, Borge was immersed in music almost from birth. The best Piano performance ever! [36], Ronald Borge Janet Crowle (adopted) Elsie Chilton Sanna Feirstein, Victor Bernhard (Vebe) Jr. place of death: Greenwich, Connecticut, United States, Quotes By Victor Borge | A brilliant pianist, virtuoso comedian and, at one point, the highest paid entertainer in the world, we find out about the real Victor Borge and why his humour is so immortal. Victor Borge, born Brge Rosenbaum, was a Danish comedian, conductor and pianist, affectionately known as The Clown Prince of Denmark, The Unmelancholy Dane,and The Great Dane. "He was gifted. His longtime agent, Bernard Gurtman, said he had had concerts booked for the next two years. 7-day returns. Tue 26 Dec 2000 20.38 EST. Nazi Flag 3. This was quickly followed by his realization that his music was upside down. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Hollywood writers strike over streaming pay after talks fail, A full body orgasm at the L.A. Phil? Victor gave his first piano concert at the age of 8 and secured a scholarship at the Royal Danish Academy of Music. Borge got married to Elsie Chilton in 1933 and adopted two children: Ronald and Janet with her but the marriage did not last very long and he again got married to Sarabel Scraper in 1953 and had two children with her: Victor and Frederikke. Younger television viewers discovered him in recent films of his live concerts that ran on PBS. Borge would often play around with 'Moonlight' Sonata in his sketches, sometimes allowing it to morph into a popular tune like Cole Porter's 'Night and Day'. . Born Borg Rosenbaum in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1909, Victor Borge was the youngest son of Bernard Rosenbaum, a viola player in the Royal Danish Philharmonic Orchestra, and the former Frederikke Lichtinger, a gifted pianist. -Victor Borge - YouTube 0:00 / 2:12 The best Piano performance ever! Both of his parents were musicians, and Borge continued in this line, learning piano and performing as a classical pianist. He went on to perform "Comedy in . His parents, Bernhard and Frederikke (ne Lichtinger) Rosenbaum, were both musicians: his father a violist in the Royal Danish Orchestra, and his mother . Victor Borge, irrepressible musical humorist, pianist and conductor saluted all over world as 'the comedian of the keyboard' and 'the unmelancholy Dane,' dies at age 91; photo (M) In 1946, he started getting more and more success and recognition in the industry, majorly because of the success of his show The Victor Borge Show on NBC Network. Rainer Hersch teams up with internationally acclaimed pianist Danny Driver and Royal Opera House soloist Laura Ruh Vidal to re-ignite the magic of Victor Borges classic routines. 1. He was born Borge Rosenbaum. He became a U.S. citizen in 1948. While in his teens, he received a scholarship to the Copenhagen Music Conservatory, and he later studied in Vienna and Berlin. Victor Borge, born Brge Rosenbaum, was a Danish- American comedian, conductor and pianist, affectionately known as "The Clown Prince of Denmark", "The Unmelancholy Dane", and "The Great Dane". He was born in Denmark in a family of musicians and inculcated the love for music since a really young age. Never goodbye. How many times does an orchestra play Beethovens Ninth, Fifth or Sixth? May your piano always be in tune. Borges American career in top nightclubs and concert halls was launched. Victor Borge was originally born in Copenhagen, but fled to Sweden once Nazis occupied Denmark during World War II. }, First published on December 24, 2000 / 9:27 AM. His inimitable brand of comedy was a mixture of wordplay, physical gags, and dazzling virtuosity on the piano. Half of his ashes are interred at Putnam Cemetery in Greenwich and the other half is in Western Jewish Cemetery, Copenhagen, Denmark. That is when the climax of my day occurs. Comedian and musician Rainer Hersch is appearing at Londons beautiful Cadogan Hallon Friday 12 October with a brand new version of his comedy hit Rainer Herschs Victor Borge. He was able to combine musicality and humor.". In 1979, Borge founded the American Pianists Association with Julius Bloom and Anthony P Habig. display: none; Pianist, composer, songwriter, entertainer and actor, educated at Borgerdydskolen and the Conservatory of Copenhagen. But he could not resist his comic impulses and put together a routine that combined music and jokes. He'd start to play a familiar piece like Clair de lune or the "Moonlight" Sonata, then swerve off in some improbable-sounding direction, never getting around to finishing what he started. This poor kid would have to play Mendelssohn or Schubert on these horrors, so I would talk, make up a composers name. Unfortunately for his well-being, he had long used German dictator Adolf Hitler as the butt of many of his jokes--and the Nazis were not known for their sense of humor. At 23 he made his professional comedy debut. December 23, 2000. He escaped on the American Legion - the last passenger ship to leave Scandinavia during the war. He could also make himself the butt of the joke, including "page-turners" who seemed intent on preventing him from ever seeing the correct musical page or stagehands who all but buried him in leaves during a romantic rendition of "Autumn Leaves.". were as old as the music he performed, but it didnt matter. What do you think? 9. With great emotion, Mr. Borge would say that he always had wondered whether the courageous tailor had survived the war, only to have run across him decades later, asking the now ancient man if he remembered him. Its not much fun being a page turner (unless, perhaps, youre this person). But, if you have heard the name,how much do you really know about one of the worlds greatest comedy entertainers? More than one critic observed that Mr. Borge's routine largely consisted of sitting at a fine piano, often with a great orchestra or singer, and finding a variety of reasons not to play. The nerves and the fear can take everything out of you, and it isnt worth it.. After this award, Borge was offered film roles with major stars including Frank Sinatra. By the time he was eight years old, he gave his first piano recital. He learned English by spending day after day in movie theaters and memorized some of his routines phonetically. Answer (1 of 5): From Wiki: Victor Borge was born "Brge Rosenbaum" on 3 January 1909 in Copenhagen, Denmark, into an Ashkenazi Jewish family. "Well, we train them," Borge explained. Borge began piano lessons at the age of two, and it was soon apparent that he was a prodigy. Generations come and go; they like it, understand it. . Pianist and comedian Victor Borge has been daffy since his debut. . Download 'String Quartet No.2 in D major (3)' on iTunes. This was a Danish. Read more: 5 hilarious videos from Victor Borge, the funniest man in classical music, Happy Birthday - Beethoven - Victor Borge. He became an American citizen in 1948, but thought of himself as Danish. show in which Borge often announced he was going to play a piece, but In 1999, he was one of five performers selected for the Kennedy Center Honors. Mars Voltas lead singer broke with Scientology and reunited with the band. Borge is survived by his five children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Doesn't post to United States. but Phonetic Punctuation wasnt his. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Learn more. In 1953, Borge's one-man show, Comedy in Music, began a run of 849 performances, the Broadway record for a solo show. And on Saturday 26 May, remarkable blind pianist Rachel Starrit will give a late-night candlelit concert, performing new works by three young composers and her own improvisations. Read more about the condition Good: An item in used but good condition. Trending News He studied with Egon Petri and Frederic Lammond. Mr. Borge made Broadway history in the 1950s when his show, "Comedy in Music," ran for 849 performances at the Golden Theater, a record for a one-man engagement. He was taught by Olivo Krause, Victor Schioler, Liszts student Fredric Lamond and Busonis student Egon Petri. in Copenhagen, Denmark Borge died in Greenwich, Connecticut, at the age of 91 in 2000, in his sleep. "That's why I've never thought of retiring because I do it all the time whether on the stage or off. He was a master of a kind of piano pratfall. Fear, said the very private Borge in an interview some years ago. Victor Borge (pronounced [borg] "BOR-guh"; January 3, 1909 - December 23, 2000), born Brge Rosenbaum, was a Jewish-Danish comedian, conductor and pianist, affectionately known as The Clown Prince of Denmark, The Unmelancholy Dane, and The Great Dane. And if it doesn't turn out the way I really can do it, I don't want it.". knowledge, no one ever fought smilinglyand won. Borges guest appearance on Crosbys Kraft Music Hall in 1941 led to a niche as a regular on the crooners show for 56 weeks. December 24, 2000 / 9:27 AM Sima's slogan is "Good Music for Good People," but as concert organizer Fred Munroe says, "This may be the understatement of the decade. Finding out that it was the birthday of someone in the audience, he would proceed to play "Happy Birthday" as if written by different classical composers--asking for suggestions about which composers to mimic. Born Brge Rosenbaum in Copenhagen in 1909, Victor Borge started entertaining people in the 1920s and didnt stop until the end of the 20th century. "He was just a great inspiration. Rate this book. A young Victor Borge 2. "The moment I walk on the stage, no matter what my mood, if I have any regrets or feel sick or in pain, all that disappears. He won the Best New Radio Performer of the Year in 1942. He began a career as a gifted serious musician. What Shows Have Been Renewed or Canceled? Victor Borge built his unconventional career on the back of his amazing musicianship. Brge Rosenbaum, known professionally as Victor Borge, was a Danish-American comedian, conductor, and pianist who achieved great popularity in radio and television in both North America and. His blend of music and comedy earned him the nicknames "The Clown Prince of Denmark", "The Unmelancholy Dane", and "The Great Dane".BiographyEarly . Rudy Valle was an American singer, actor, bandleader and entertainer. He was featured in his own one-man show "Comedy in Music", plus "He was an incredible human being," said Niels Joergen Kaiser, a close friend of Borge's in Denmark who wrote the entertainer's 1999 biography. Within a few years, he started mixing his comic skills with music and started having stand up acts, which was a blend of music and jokes. He was an instant success. And something he saw around the age of 12 changed the course of his life . Born: January 3, 1909 ", In his moments of serious playing, Borge was praised as a distinguished proponent of the Romantic style, but his serious recordings amounted to one side of a record. Borge made it all seem spontaneous and fresh.. Both his parents were musicians; his mother was a pianist and father a violist in the Royal Danish Orchestra. He met Rudy Vallee, who gave him an audition and lent him a studio audience that included Bing Crosbys radio sponsors. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for The Best of Victor Borge - Act One and Two (VHS) at the best online prices at eBay! Profession: Comedian and Pianist. He wrote, with Robert Sherman, My Favorite Intermissions (1971) and Victor Borges My Favorite Comedies in Music (1980). After a few years of this, he began to incorporate his now familiar stand-up routine into his piano performances. accents commas, question marks and periods with sound effects. One part of that success wasn't musical: It was verbal, as he fractured English on stage.
