R. I. P. Tom Lehrer

I was introduced to the music and satire of Tom Lehrer by my father, of all people, who was an opera and big band aficionado. One day he brought home a record album with the cover of a devil character seated at a seemingly endless piano keyboard.

https://i.discogs.com/4-HjeDZyoJm-1N...5MC5qcGVn.jpeg

A delightful combination of clever lyrics, sarcasm, self-effacing delivery and impeccable and impressive piano playing turned me into an instant fan -- at the tender age of ten. I listened to that record over and over that decades later, I can still sing the lyrics from memory.

I didn't learn until later that this witty performer was in actuality, a professor of mathematics at Harvard University. And that before that, he had served in the army at the NSA. He abandoned his music career and returned to academia in the 1970s.

In 2020, Lehrer made all of his songs, lyrics and music public domain. In 2022, he formally relinquished all copyright and performing/recording rights on his songs, making all music and lyrics composed by him free for anyone to use. A website was created where anyone could download anything and everything. I've performed a couple of his songs at open mics, which always make people chuckle.

He was 97. God speed, Mr. Lehrer. Rest in peace.