Liza Minnelli arrives for the funeral of Marvin Hamlisch, in New York’s Temple Emanu-El, Tuesday, Aug. 14. (AP)
The Associated Press — Friends and admirers of Marvin Hamlisch gathered Tuesday in New York City to bid farewell to the celebrated songwriter hailed as “the people’s composer.” Guests included Liza Minnelli, Kelli O’Hara, Ann-Margret, Robert Klein, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Leslie Uggams, Richard Gere, Kathie Lee Gifford and Diane Sawyer. Statements of mourning were read from President Barack Obama and former first lady Nancy Reagan. Here are some of the reactions of those who knew Hamlisch:
Former President Bill Clinton: “Genius is rare enough, but a good-hearted genius is rarer still. A good-hearted, humble and hilarious genius is almost unheard of.”
Former Yankee manager Joe Torre: “I was probably just as much a fan of his as he was of mine.”
Tony Danza: “One of the truly greats.”
Barbra Streisand: “When I was with Marvin it felt like I was home. We just hit it off and we became friends. We were so alike – a passion for work and music.“
More:
Hamlisch was slated to conduct the York Symphony Orchestra’s 2012-13 pops series. Read about what YSO has decided to do after Hamlisch’s death.
