http://www.dailyitem.com/0300_entertainment/local_story_305001559.html?start:int=0The music survives
Former Big Band pianist continues to entertain
By Cindy O. Herman
For The Daily Item
SELINSGROVE -- Spending time with Rudy Gellnett is like sitting down to chat with Jimmy Stewart. You come away humming show tunes and feeling it's really a wonderful life, after all. And much like the beloved actor from the 1930s and '40s, Mr. Gellnett can't seem to understand why people make such a fuss about him.
He is a man who, at the age of 92, rides his bicycle every day at Grayson View, in Selinsgrove, where he has resided for the past eight months, and who plays the piano there for fellow residents.
"I started a band in high school," the Selinsgrove graduate said, in a soft, deep voice. "I'm one of the old-time musicians around here in the popular field.
"Then, in college, at Susquehanna University, in the summer of '35 and '36, I took a five-piece band to Europe. We were the first Pennsylvania college to do this," he said. "All college students go to Europe these days. It was big stuff in the Depression."
After college, he started in a band with Ivan Faux until World War II called him away from his music. He served as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy until returning to form a band under his own name.
Mr. Gellnett's band was popular at Rolling Green Park, in Shamokin Dam. He pointed out the park's logo, RG, the same initials as his, over the Rainbow Ballroom stage. "I told everybody that that was our park," he said with a soft laugh.
The Rudy Gellnett Band played everywhere, including Bucknell University fraternities and Penn State. "We were very, very popular at Penn State," he said. "It's very far. You didn't think of it when you were young."
After World War II, people flocked to musicals like "Oklahoma," "South Pacific" and "The King and I," and the big band music was everywhere. It seemed like it would last forever, but ...
"In the late '50s, rock killed us," Mr. Gellnett said, emphasizing the words. "Rock killed us. Just like that."
He shook his head, still bridling at the end of an era.
"Even the country clubs were having rock bands. God, we played country clubs in Harrisburg, Jersey Shore. Williamsport country clubs. All over the place. But rock killed us."
Mr. Gellnett played with other bands afterward, and continues to play at wedding receptions and private parties. He recently played at a 50th anniversary party for Susquehanna University's class of 1957 at the university president's house.
"Just a few engagements come along, but I continue to play. I haven't lost my touch," he said, twirling his fingers as if on a piano keyboard. "But I'm not a rock n' roll type. Never was."
Until recently, when Susquehanna University donated a new piano, Mr. Gellnett had to tickle the ivories on Grayson View's old one, which was in sad shape. "It was so badly ...," Mr. Gellnett broke off, shaking his head. "It just wasn't working well. So Susquehanna donated [the new one]. I had nothing to do with it. They just came through."
And now, Mr. Gellnett is able to give regular piano concerts to fellow residents, playing the music they all love.
"It's the usual. "'Indian Love,' that sort of thing," Mr. Gellnett said of the music requests. "One man came up with ÂDaddy's Little Girl' the other day, and that's a very pretty song." He gave a deep chuckle. "It's not rock n' roll here."
And his personal favorite? "I would say 'People Will Say We're In Love' is one of the best songs ever written," he said solemnly.
The Rudy Gellnett Band is long gone, but the Big Band songs they once played continue on.
"I loaf, but I do it gracefully," he said with a twinkling smile. "But after all, at 92, loafing gracefully is my job now."
And when Mr. Gellnett gracefully loafs, sweet music fills the air and stirs memories at Grayson View every day.
"I grew up with Gershwin and Cole Porter and those boys. Richard Rodgers. Jerome Kern. In other words, I played the melody. And always will," Mr. Gellnett said, adding, "Jazz has its place, and rock has its place "'? it's not for me."
