Tom Lehrer, still poisoning pigeons, is 90

Zelda Macnamara says:

This made my day! Thank you!

David R Osborne says:

And the song about Alma Mahler.

Sharon says:

I remember first hearing Lehrer on the radio in Canada in, I believe, 1969. I was a kid and they sounded pretty shocking At the time his lyrics were too political and edgy for commercial US radio.

I understand that in later life (over 60) he became quite cynical (although he was more than halfway there already!) and a semi recluse.

William Safford says:

Several years ago, while listening to the local classical radio station while driving, I heard several Tom Lehrer songs. My first thought: he must have just passed away. I was delighted to discover that I was wrong, and that, instead, his birthday or some other milestone was being celebrated.

I discovered Tom Lehrer’s music via my late uncle’s EP, and then from the Dr. Demento Show. At summer music camp, we sang and performed his songs. I have never had the honor of meeting him, and I am too young to have heard him live, but I heard a few stories from his sometime-collaborator Joe Raposo. (Alas, the stories have faded away in the mists of time.)

I love his humor and his erudition. Happy Birthday!

Marcel Buttrup says:

Greetings from Denmark too.
He performed his last live concert here i Copenhagen, when he was appointed the Danish students “Honor-Artist Of The Year” (or what you would call it in English.)
His humor match the nordic student’s very well. He also performed a concert i Norway prior to the last one in Copenhagen. The Copenhagen concert can be seen on Youtube.
It is nearly possible to see me among the audience. Very young and very devotet.
My favorite: “When You Are Old And Grey…” He might be too, but not in my mind