Edward M. Layton (October 10, 1925 – December 26, 2004) was an American stadium organist who played at old Yankee Stadium for nearly 40 years, earning him membership in the New York Sports Hall of Fame.[1]
Layton was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the West Chester State Teachers College (Now West Chester University) majoring in meteorology with a minor in music. He began playing the organ when he was 12 years old. While serving in the United States Navy during World War II, he learned to play the Hammond organ. After the war, he began a career as a professional organist writing scores for soap operas on CBS.[2] Four noted CBS soap operas were "The Secret Storm," "Love is a Many Splendored Thing," "Love of Life," and "Where the Heart Is." During that time, he recorded nearly 27 albums of organ music. He was also noted for traveling the world as a spokesperson and artist for the Hammond Organ company.
New York Yankeesedit
Layton joined the New York Yankees franchise in 1967 when CBS purchased the Yankees from Dan Topping. Because of pressure from the success of the New York Mets, their new Shea Stadium facility and the popularity of their organist, Jane Jarvis, Topping had installed an organ in Yankee Stadium at the beginning of the 1965 season. Lowrey organ demonstrator Toby Wright was the first Yankee organist and did the 1965 and 1966 seasons. Team president E. Michael Burke brought Layton in to play organ music at the stadium in 1967. At the time, he had never been to the stadium and knew nothing about baseball.[3] He went on to play the organ for the Yankees for over three decades, taking a break from 1971 to 1977 to pursue other musical commitments. (Wright had returned as organist during that time.) When he retired on September 28, 2003, he played a final performance of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", while fans chanted "Eddie! Eddie!".[1] Current New York Yankees organists Ed Alstrom and Paul Cartier were recruited by Layton to take his place at Yankee Stadium.
Layton also performed concerts in more than 200 cities for the Hammond Organ Company and released 27 albums.[3] In addition, Layton played the organ at Radio City Music Hall for thirty years of Pace University commencements held there. The student union at Pace University's New York City campus was named in his honor.[5]
Hobbiesedit
Layton loved sailing and owned his own tugboat. He also owned a huge collection of model trains he maintained at his Forest Hills, New York home. Eddie loved demonstrating organs to the public, and giving organ lessons. In 2009, Soapluvva established a YouTube tribute channel to both Eddie Layton and Charles Paul, who were colleagues of each other at the CBS Broadcast Center in Manhattan.
Deathedit
On December 26, 2004, Layton died of natural causes at his home in Forest Hills, New York at age 79, according to various reports following a brief illness.[2] He was buried at Mount Hebron Cemetery in Queens, New York City, with his feet pointed away from Shea Stadium.[6]
Controversyedit
Layton claimed credit as the first to come up with the idea of playing charge calls at a baseball game in 1971.[3] However, Michael Silverbush claims to have made the innovation eight years prior.
Ken Burns' 1994 documentary Baseball contained some videographic evidence buttressing Silverbush's claim. During the sequence on the new New York Mets fans in the film's 8th installment, Silverbush can briefly be seen playing a trumpet at Shea Stadium in 1969.
Referencesedit
^ abBotte, Peter (28 December 2004). "Eddie Layton Dies At 79". New York Daily News.
^ abcGoldstein, Richard (28 December 2004). "Eddie Layton, a New York Sports Fixture, Is Dead". The New York Times.
^ abc. Village Voice. June 13–19, 2001. Archived from the original on 2006-11-08.
^"Layton retired in 2003 after 35 years". Associated Press. December 27, 2004. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
^. Pace University. Archived from the original on 2012-05-23.
^Kilgannon, Corey (December 31, 2004). "At the Grave, Remembering the Yankees' Music Man". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
November 02, 2023
eddie, layton, edward, layton, october, 1925, december, 2004, american, stadium, organist, played, yankee, stadium, nearly, years, earning, membership, york, sports, hall, fame, layton, retirement, party, 2003bornedward, layton, 1925, october, 1925philadelphia. Edward M Layton October 10 1925 December 26 2004 was an American stadium organist who played at old Yankee Stadium for nearly 40 years earning him membership in the New York Sports Hall of Fame 1 Eddie LaytonLayton at his retirement party in 2003BornEdward M Layton 1925 10 10 October 10 1925Philadelphia Pennsylvania USDiedDecember 26 2004 2004 12 26 aged 79 Forest Hills Queens New York USOccupationStadium organist Contents 1 Early life 1 1 New York Yankees 1 2 Other work 1 3 Hobbies 2 Death 3 Controversy 4 ReferencesEarly life editLayton was a native of Philadelphia Pennsylvania He graduated from the West Chester State Teachers College Now West Chester University majoring in meteorology with a minor in music He began playing the organ when he was 12 years old While serving in the United States Navy during World War II he learned to play the Hammond organ After the war he began a career as a professional organist writing scores for soap operas on CBS 2 Four noted CBS soap operas were The Secret Storm Love is a Many Splendored Thing Love of Life and Where the Heart Is During that time he recorded nearly 27 albums of organ music He was also noted for traveling the world as a spokesperson and artist for the Hammond Organ company New York Yankees edit Layton joined the New York Yankees franchise in 1967 when CBS purchased the Yankees from Dan Topping Because of pressure from the success of the New York Mets their new Shea Stadium facility and the popularity of their organist Jane Jarvis Topping had installed an organ in Yankee Stadium at the beginning of the 1965 season Lowrey organ demonstrator Toby Wright was the first Yankee organist and did the 1965 and 1966 seasons Team president E Michael Burke brought Layton in to play organ music at the stadium in 1967 At the time he had never been to the stadium and knew nothing about baseball 3 He went on to play the organ for the Yankees for over three decades taking a break from 1971 to 1977 to pursue other musical commitments Wright had returned as organist during that time When he retired on September 28 2003 he played a final performance of Take Me Out to the Ball Game while fans chanted Eddie Eddie 1 Current New York Yankees organists Ed Alstrom and Paul Cartier were recruited by Layton to take his place at Yankee Stadium Other work edit In addition to playing for the Yankees Layton was the organist for the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers from 1967 to 1985 4 He also played for several seasons of New York Islanders games in the 1990s 2 and served one stint as organist for the indoor New York Cosmos soccer team at Madison Square Garden Layton also performed concerts in more than 200 cities for the Hammond Organ Company and released 27 albums 3 In addition Layton played the organ at Radio City Music Hall for thirty years of Pace University commencements held there The student union at Pace University s New York City campus was named in his honor 5 Hobbies edit Layton loved sailing and owned his own tugboat He also owned a huge collection of model trains he maintained at his Forest Hills New York home Eddie loved demonstrating organs to the public and giving organ lessons In 2009 Soapluvva established a YouTube tribute channel to both Eddie Layton and Charles Paul who were colleagues of each other at the CBS Broadcast Center in Manhattan Death editOn December 26 2004 Layton died of natural causes at his home in Forest Hills New York at age 79 according to various reports following a brief illness 2 He was buried at Mount Hebron Cemetery in Queens New York City with his feet pointed away from Shea Stadium 6 Controversy editLayton claimed credit as the first to come up with the idea of playing charge calls at a baseball game in 1971 3 However Michael Silverbush claims to have made the innovation eight years prior Ken Burns 1994 documentary Baseball contained some videographic evidence buttressing Silverbush s claim During the sequence on the new New York Mets fans in the film s 8th installment Silverbush can briefly be seen playing a trumpet at Shea Stadium in 1969 References edit a b Botte Peter 28 December 2004 Eddie Layton Dies At 79 New York Daily News a b c Goldstein Richard 28 December 2004 Eddie Layton a New York Sports Fixture Is Dead The New York Times a b c Three Kings Village Voice June 13 19 2001 Archived from the original on 2006 11 08 Layton retired in 2003 after 35 years Associated Press December 27 2004 Retrieved April 6 2012 Eddie Layton Student Union Pace University Archived from the original on 2012 05 23 Kilgannon Corey December 31 2004 At the Grave Remembering the Yankees Music Man The New York Times Retrieved 17 April 2016 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Eddie Layton amp oldid 1168888239, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
