Under the previous music post, Dave and I were discussing Tom playing Peanuts music on piano. I wanted to hear Tom playing his variety of Peanuts music again so badly, so I looked and found this so far. I hope to find more in the future because Tommy loved to add his own unique Tommy-isms to everything.
This video shows Tom’s love for the Peanuts and the music of his childhood. And more! I don’t want to name it all off just yet because you guys have to experience the full variety as Tommy played it – how he goes from one fun idea to the next. Maybe watch it first, then read the rest.
This was from a Christmas party in NYC at an apartment where Tom lived with other roommates. He was sooo excited about the upcoming Christmas party, and I was too! I remember hauling a big Christmas tree with him and someone else for blocks one year, but I am not sure if it was the tree in this apartment this particular year. Tommy always loved a Christmas tree, and the whole Christmas season… as shown by his sparkly Christmas hat.
I lived Upstate at the time and I think I stayed for 3 days on this particular visit. What I remember the most about this visit is this party. I decided to set my camera down on the piano and just hit record to capture people just being natural. I was just to the left of the camera, so I’m not in this clip much, with the exception of leaning in to say something to Tom. Now I wish I knew what I was saying, but it was probably Peanuts suggestions since I loved everything he played involving the Peanuts. I have more video of this night, but it will take time to get around to posting more. It will happen over time though!
This scene was near the beginning of the night. The whole night, people were singing around the piano. Members of the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus were there. Since I love to sing too, this was my kind of party! Tommy didn’t play piano the entire night; a few other people took turns. So, there was also time for chatting with other people and more joking around. Laughter, meeting friendly people, plus fun and festive people singing joyfully around the piano… I LOVED it!
When I watched this video, I felt like I was still right there with him, perhaps because I was right next to the camera, so at times it felt like he was still looking at me. I was afraid it would make me cry to watch it, but it made me laugh. He’s such a born entertainer! This clip feels like “Tommy’s Christmas Special”. This will now be one of the Christmas specials I’ll watch every year. I hope it brings everyone more joy than sadness. He put so much energy into wanting to make people laugh.
PS: The polka song he was starting at 4:12 was his version of the opening theme from The Shining. I might have it somewhere else on tape. It used to make me laugh because who would have thought to turn that theme into a polka version?
Also in this video – a McDonalds commercial jingle “It’s a good time for the great taste of McDonalds” and the trolley music from Mister Rogers Neighborhood…. I’m smiling as I type this line. Such a fun, quick variety!
Also, sorry about the tracking on the video. We couldn’t adjust it any better than this. I used to reuse my tapes, so that, plus the age of this tape means poor quality. Tommy’s fun performance though – 10 out of 10! XOXO
Jungle Bells made me laugh so hard, then cry. These are amazing, I hope you have more.
Mary this so wonderful. Thank you from his family and friends for posting this
What a gift to see this video. Thank you for sharing it. And any reference to The Shining brings back a ton of memories. I can’t count how many times Tommy and I watched that movie together and imitated Shelley Duvall. 🙂
That was wonderful Mary!!! He loved Christmas time!! I think it was because the holiday magic finally caught up to him… He had that same magic all the time. Seriously… If you bottled up the joys and cheer of Christmas, shook it up and sprinkled it out you would get Tommy. That was him all year long!!! He was pure magic!!!0