Tony-Romano: An American Troubador

Today marks the 97th birthday of the multitalented Tony Romano. Among his gifts, he was the quintessential rhythm guitarist—and as good a singer as any vocalist in the business. I regarded Tony as the most successful person I've ever known, never compromising about who he was or what did. What he did was superbly sing the Great American Songbook throughout his life, songs with good tunes with good lyrics—the works of Berlin, the Gershwins, Mercer, Porter, Rogers & Hart, and his favorite tunesmith, Harry Warren, the dean of Hollywood musicals. Always companying Tony's vocals was the greatest guitar accompanist, himself.

I recall the first time I met Tony in 1981. He was singing in the bar at the Hotel Laguna in southern California. Before heading home that night, I remember asking, "Where have you been all my life?" The second evening I vividly recall is his performance at the hotel the night Harry Warren died. Tony knew Harry well, and I always have regarded Tony's rendition of "The More I See You" as his signature song, although there were several songs that deserve equal recognition. That night, Tony sang as many of Warren's songs he could remember, about 2 hours of music written by one of America's greatest tunesmiths.

It has been my good fortune to know many superb musicians, often pianists. I count among my good friends Johnny Costa, John Bunch, Dave McKenna, Gene Harris, and Keter Betts. Their deaths have left an ever-expanding hole in my life. Tony Romano was my dear friend. Through the years I have missed hearing Tony sing live and watching him play fat chords on his Gibson L5. But it is Tony the man I always miss most of all.

—Hugh Glenn

	Tony Romano An American Troubador September 26, 1915 — March 4, 2005
	Today marks the 97th birthday of the multitalented Tony Romano. Among his gifts, he was the quintessential rhythm guitarist—and as good a singer as any vocalist in the business. I regarded Tony as the most successful person I've ever known, never compromising about who he was or what did. What he did was superbly sing the Great American Songbook throughout his life, songs with good tunes with good lyrics—the works of Berlin, the Gershwins, Mercer, Porter, Rogers & Hart, and his favorite tunesmith, Harry Warren, the dean of Hollywood musicals. Always companying Tony's vocals was the greatest guitar accompanist, himself. I recall the first time I met Tony in 1981. He was singing in the bar at the Hotel Laguna in southern California. Before heading home that night, I remember asking, "Where have you been all my life?" The second evening I vividly recall is his performance at the hotel the night Harry Warren died. Tony knew Harry well, and I always have regarded Tony's rendition of "The More I See You" as his signature song, although there were several songs that deserve equal recognition. That night, Tony sang as many of Warren's songs he could remember, about 2 hours of music written by one of America's greatest tunesmiths. It has been my good fortune to know many superb musicians, often pianists. I count among my good friends Johnny Costa, John Bunch, Dave McKenna, Gene Harris, and Keter Betts. Their deaths have left an ever-expanding hole in my life. Tony Romano was my dear friend. Through the years I have missed hearing Tony sing live and watching him play fat chords on his Gibson L5. But it is Tony the man I always miss most of all. —Hugh Glenn
	Copyright © 2012 Dr. Hugh Glenn
	Tony Romano, accompanied by Charlie Romero (cl), sings two original compositions, "Plain Ol' Me" and "Tattletale Eyes," during a live performance in 1982 at the Hotel Laguna in Laguna Beach, California.