Sad news to report. Dan Langan died yesterday. Former Toast member, ARSC
member, 78 dealer, musical theater producer-promoter-authority, master
raconteur, Dan was 82 years old. Below is a memorial written by his
former wife Mary Deady.
Born in Scranton, PA, Dan began his career as a reporter, editor,
columnist, and critic for the Syracuse Post Standard, Philadelphia
Inquirer, Variety, and for seven years was the "Man about Music" for
WNYC radio programs. He moved on to corporate public relations before
opening his own public relations/consulting firm, Langan Communications,
which mainly serviced arts and entertainment clients, including major
performing arts centers across the nation. Dan was passionate about New
York, Broadway, and the American Songbook.
Dan wrote liner notes and booklets for recordings issued by RCA, Sony,
Vanguard and other labels, and is cited as an authority on music and
theatre in more than 50 books. Dan was a member of ARSC - Association
for Recorded Sound Collections and contributed articles to its journal,
and made presentations to the NY ARSC.
Dan counted two Tonys - Randall and Bennett - in the casts of events he
produced and/or wrote, along with Gwen Verdon, Richard Kiley, Tom
Bosley, Jack Jones, four-time best song Oscar winners Jimmy Van Heusen
and Sammy Cahn, three-time winners Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, the
cast of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, and many other stars.
Dan is survived by his daughter, Sheila Langan of Brooklyn, his former
wife, Mary Deady, and other loving family members. No flowers please,
but should you wish to make a donation in Dan’s name, please do so to
ARSC (the Association for Recorded Sound Collections):


We have also learned from Holland of the passing on March 15 of Franz
Jansen, apparently in an auto accident.
(1936-2018). He was a man who committed himself to everything that had
to do with old music and devices. He was also someone who often wrote
beautiful articles for the viewer. He and his wife Agnes frequent
attendees at the Annual Confeerence.
We wish his family a lot of strength with the loss. RIP Franz.