 |
 |
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.