RIP Jerry Bock

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 9:51am

This was initially posted over on ATC. The news comes per Harvey Fierstein's Facebook page:

"Just got word that FIDDLER ON THE ROOF composer, JERRY BOCK, passed last night. How unhappy an event. I saw and hugged and kissed him last week at Joe Stein's memorial and now he's gone. How terribly sad."

RIP to another musical theatre legend. Thank you for all the glorious music you gave to us.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 9:57am

So sad to hear this! Someone must have it out for the Fiddler creative team!

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 10:16am

Stay Healthy Sheldon Harnick!

-Akiva

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 10:40am

Fiddler on the Roof and She Loves Me are among my favorite musicals. What a talented man.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 10:44am

RIP Jerry Bock, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

[secondarycharacter2]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 10:46am

im in fiddler right now.... how sad.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 10:53am

What is even sadder is that he had not written any more musicals after THE ROTHSCHILDS, 40 years ago.

The royalties from FIDDLER alone would have provided a comfortable income, but you can't help but wonder how many other fine score he might have created had he stuck with it.

[jv92]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 11:15am

So tragic.

I just got mail from Mr. Bock a few weeks ago and I can't believe he's gone. Such a talented composer. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

[Jon]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 11:31am

I'm just about to go into rehearsal for THE APPLE TREE.

FIDDLER may have been the biggest hit, but SHE LOVES ME is one of my favorite scores of all time. I grew up listiening to that double LP recording of the original cast.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 11:32am

I love the scores to both Fiddler and She Loves Me in deeply personal ways.

RIP, Mr. Bock, and thanks for the melodies.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 12:26pm

I'm disheartened and sad of the passing of Both Jerry Bock, Joe Stein, Fred Ebb.
What a loss to Broadway. What a loss to musicals.

I know I'm supposed to say that their work will live on and it will but these
are my childhood heroes-(Yes I'm in my fifites and often cannot believe what passes for a Broadway Musical these days)
I remember looking in the Times and int the Hirshfeld drawings -Looking forward to a new Jerry Bock or Joe Stein or Fred
Ebb Musical
It is the end of an era. Sigh.
Goodbye Canavaro. (Stein and Ebb)
How I loved my admirals (STein and Ebb)
I loved you! but you didn't know it (Jerry Bock)

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 12:56pm

Devastated to hear this. Working with him was one of the great joys of my career. Such a lovely and talented man. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones. He will be greatly missed.

[lsnj8]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 2:08pm

so sad. i just downloaded some bock demos from thesingingstage.com

lsnj8

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 5:44pm

I had the honor of working with him twice in new musicals (that as far as I know haven't made it to NYC in any way). He was the sweetest man. He leaves us with gorgeous music and great theatre.

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 5:44pm

Please make it right,
Don't break my heart,
Don't let it end,
Dear Friend...

RIP

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 5:58pm

What is even sadder is that he had not written any more musicals after THE ROTHSCHILDS, 40 years ago.

He did, just not for Broadway, specifically. He partnered with Stuart Ostrow on the workshop of 1040 at the University of Houston (I believe jerby was in that one). And he collaborated with Sidney Berger on several new family musicals for the Children's Theatre Festival in Houston (jerby and I both worked on some of these). I think Jerry was doing what he wanted to do. He continued to compose, but he may not have wanted the stress involved in major Broadway productions any more. He seemed to be having fun and the presence of him and his adorable wife were always a comfort. They attended every single rehearsal through the opening performance, even when his presence as composer wasn't necessarily warranted (i.e. movement, blocking or tech). The opportunity and experience was unforgettable. Luckily, I have a few mementos to remind me of him.

[Amalia Balash]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 6:02pm

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

She Loves Me has always been one of my favorite musicals. I remember my parents playing the OBCR of Fiddler all the time. So many great memories.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 11/4/10 at 11:16am

His music is among the best ever composed for stage and Fiddler on the Roof has been a life-changing show for me.

Thank-you Mr. Bock for creating one of the best musicals ever written.

[lvpblues]

Posted: 11/4/10 at 3:23pm

When I started reading about his death, I was listening to my itunes playlist on shuffle. Every third or fourth song was by Jerry Bock. I ended up spending most of last night and this morning with his scores - and I continue marvel at his craftsmanship. It's a shame his collaboration with Harnick ended in 1970, but so grateful for their output.

~K
Bock and Harnick

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 11/7/10 at 12:07pm

My playlist always features Bock and Harnick too.

As a child growing up in Brooklyn, the first time I was allowed to go to Manhattan alone via subway was to see a very late performance of "Fiorello!" I will always remember Tom Bosley, whose energy after nearly two years of playing the lead was amazing, as well as his lovely leading lady, Patricia Wilson. But the haunting score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick lives on after more than 50 years, and along with "She Loves Me" ranks among the best Broadway scores ever written.

Mr. Bock's glorious music will always be remembered and loved.

[esparza 333]

Posted: 11/7/10 at 6:51pm

What an amazing composer. Fiddler has always had a special place in my heart. The theatre has lost an extremely talented man. Thank Mr. Bock for giving us all you have. You will be missed. RIP

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/7/10 at 7:17pm

He did not do a ton of shows but those he did were great.