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February 21, 2005
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John Raitt, dies at 88 |
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John Raitt, who invented the roles of Billy in "Carousel" and the lead in "Pajama Game" has died at the age of 88, from complications from pneumonia. Known as a generous performer with a glorious lyric baritone, he once sang "The Impossible Dream" to three busloads of theatergoers in Hyannis, Massachusetts when a performance of "Man of La Mancha" had to be cancelled because of a hurricane. John Raitt deplored the lowering of musical standards on Broadway in the 1970's, yet he maintained an excellent relationship with his rockin' daughter Bonnie Raitt and the two frequently performed duets by the likes of Frederick Loewe, Jerome Kern and Irving Berlin. (By Scott Rose)
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