Mr. Melgard was the organist at the Chicago Stadium for 45 years (1928-1973). It was he who suggested "Happy Days Are Here Again" for the FDR Presidential campaign, and he wrote "My Vision" for famous skater Sonja Henjy. When he played his first night at the stadium, a riot broke out. In an effort to stop the riot, he put all the stops on on what was then the world's largest theatre organ, then opened the volume pedals 2/3! He broke every window and light bulb two blocks around the stadium. Then playing "The Star-Spangled Banner" everyone stood up and the riot ended. Mr. Melgard told me this when I took organ lessons from him.
Mr. Melgard was the organist at the Chicago Stadium for 45 years (1928-1973). It was he who suggested "Happy Days Are Here Again" for the FDR Presidential campaign, and he wrote "My Vision" for famous skater Sonja Henjy. When he played his first night at the stadium, a riot broke out. In an effort to stop the riot, he put all the stops on on what was then the world's largest theatre organ, then opened the volume pedals 2/3! He broke every window and light bulb two blocks around the stadium. Then playing "The Star-Spangled Banner" everyone stood up and the riot ended. Mr. Melgard told me this when I took organ lessons from him.
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